Method for plutonium-gallium separation by anodic dissolution of a solid plutonium-gallium alloy

摘要

Purified plutonium and gallium are efficiently recovered from a solid plutonium-gallium (Pu—Ga) alloy by using an electrorefining process. The solid Pu—Ga alloy is the cell anode, preferably placed in a moving basket within the electrolyte. As the surface of the Pu—Ga anode is depleted in plutonium by the electrotransport of the plutonium to a cathode, the temperature of the electrolyte is sufficient to liquify the surface, preferably at about 500° C., resulting in a liquid anode layer substantially comprised of gallium. The gallium drips from the liquified surface and is collected below the anode within the electrochemical cell. The transported plutonium is collected on the cathode surface and is recovered.