The effect of fission product elements on the behavior of uranyl species in alkali chloride melts: A contribution towards reprocessing spent oxide fuels

Abstract

The reactions of uranyl(VI) containing chloride melts with molybdenum, niobium, zirconium and palladium were studied using high temperature electronic absorption spectroscopy. Depending on the nature of the added element uranium is reduced to uranyl(V) and uranium(IV) chloro-species and UO2. Palladium, niobium and zirconium can all be removed from a uranyl(VI)-containing melt using molybdenum metal and the melt can then be purified from Mo(III) ions by bubbling Cl2 gas. Such approach can be employed for removal a number of fission product elements from molten chloride baths during reprocessing spent oxide fuels. ©The Electrochemical Society.