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THE ELECTROCHEMISTRY OF Li-LiCl-Li2O MOLTEN SALT SYSTEMS AND THE ROLE OF MOISTURE

Citation

Gese, Natalie Jean. (2014). THE ELECTROCHEMISTRY OF Li-LiCl-Li2O MOLTEN SALT SYSTEMS AND THE ROLE OF MOISTURE. Theses and Dissertations Collection, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections. https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/etd/items/gese_idaho_0089n_10453.html

Title:
THE ELECTROCHEMISTRY OF Li-LiCl-Li2O MOLTEN SALT SYSTEMS AND THE ROLE OF MOISTURE
Author:
Gese, Natalie Jean
Date:
2014
Program:
Chemical and Materials Science Engineering
Subject Category:
Nuclear engineering; Chemical engineering; Materials Science
Abstract:

Uranium can be recovered from uranium oxide (UO2) spent fuel through the combination of oxide reduction and electrorefining processes. During oxide reduction, the spent fuel is introduced to molten LiCl-Li2O salt at 650°C and the UO2 is reduced to uranium metal via two routes: (1) electrochemically, and (2) chemically by lithium metal (Li°) that is produced electrochemically. However, the hygroscopic nature of both LiCl and Li2O leads to the formation of LiOH, contributing hydroxyl anions (OH-), the reduction of which interferes with the Li° generation required for the chemical reduction of UO2. In order for the oxide reduction process to be an effective method for the treatment of uranium oxide fuel, the role of moisture in the LiCl-Li2O system must be understood. The behavior of moisture in the LiCl-Li2O molten salt system was studied using cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry, while reduction to hydrogen was confirmed with gas chromatography.

Description:
masters, M.S., Chemical and Materials Science Engineering -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2014
Major Professor:
Pesic, Batric
Committee:
Charit, Indrajit; Admassu, Wudneh
Defense Date:
2014
Identifier:
Gese_idaho_0089N_10453
Type:
Text
Format Original:
PDF
Format:
application/pdf

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