SEPARATION OF VARIOUS COMPONENTS FROM URANIUM BY OXIDATION-REDUCTION REACTION IN A LIQUID KCl – LiCl/Zinc SYSTEM

摘要

The separation of various components from uranium by oxidation-reduction reactions in a fused KCl-LiCl/zinc system was investigated. The transfer of solutes from the zinc to the salt phase on the stepwise addition of ZnCl2 and subsequent transfer of solutes from the salt to the zinc on the stepwise addition of magnesium were measured. Solutes investigated included iron, molybdenum, niobium, chromium, yttrium, zirconium, thorium, uranium, protactinium and cerium. The objective was to obtain basic information which would be helpful in the design of a practical separation process for the purification of spent reactor fuels.