Title: Electrochemical process for dissolving plutonium dioxide and leaching plutonium from scrap or wastes
Abstract: Dissolution of plutonium (PU) from high-fired plutonium dioxide (PuO/sub 2/) and the leaching of Pu from scrap or wastes have often posed difficult process problems. Traditionally, dissolution has been accomplished using 12 M HNO/sub 3/-0.18 M HF at boiling temperatures. This work discusses the development of electrochemical dissolution of PuO/sub 2/ in compartmented cells. Small amounts of oxidation catalysts are used to carry electrons from the solid PuO/sub 2/ to the anode surface, producing PuO/sub 2//sup 2 +/ solution. PuO/sub 2/ that has been fired at temperatures to 1700/sup 0/C can be dissolved at 25/sup 0/C to concentrations exceeding 400 g Pu/L using the catalyzed electrochemical plutonium oxide dissolution (CEPOD) process. The silver ion is used as the redox catalyst. The dissolution rates are 5 to 15 times faster than the rates obtained using the current process (12 M HNO/sub 3/-0.18 M HF), and the corrosive fluoride ion is avoided.
Publication Year: 1986
Publication Date: 1986-11-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 2
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