Application of AC superimposed DC waveforms to bismuth electrorefining
Electrorefining in molten salts is used for purifying actinides. Optimizing electrorefining is key to minimizing processing time and radiological waste. One possible way of improving electrorefining efficiency is using an AC superimposed DC waveform. This waveform has demonstrated potential benefits...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Nuclear Engineering and Technology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573323005387 |
| _version_ | 1797238065600659456 |
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| author | Greg Chipman Bryant Johnson Devin Rappleye |
| author_facet | Greg Chipman Bryant Johnson Devin Rappleye |
| author_sort | Greg Chipman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Electrorefining in molten salts is used for purifying actinides. Optimizing electrorefining is key to minimizing processing time and radiological waste. One possible way of improving electrorefining efficiency is using an AC superimposed DC waveform. This waveform has demonstrated potential benefits in aqueous solutions but has never been utilized in a molten metal, molten salt application. This work investigates the effects of using an AC superimposed DC waveform on molten bismuth electrorefining in a molten LiCl–KCl–CaCl2 eutectic. Bismuth has been identified as a potential surrogate for plutonium electrorefining and a potential cathode in electrorefining used nuclear fuel (UNF). All electrorefining runs resulted in a high purity cathode ring and high yield with exception of the run using a low-frequency, high-amplitude superimposed AC waveform, which experienced some contamination and a lower yield. The other three AC superimposed DC runs experienced an average yield 6.7 % higher than the average yield of the DC runs. The electrorefining run using the high-frequency, high-amplitude superimposed AC signal had the highest yield. It is recommended in future studies to investigate the statistical variability of electrorefining yield and current efficiency and the impact of AC superimposed DC waveforms on solidified bismuth anodes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:29:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c480f38fa05a4624b3958a445a94800b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1738-5733 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:29:43Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nuclear Engineering and Technology |
| spelling | doaj.art-c480f38fa05a4624b3958a445a94800b2024-03-28T06:37:25ZengElsevierNuclear Engineering and Technology1738-57332024-04-0156413391346Application of AC superimposed DC waveforms to bismuth electrorefiningGreg Chipman0Bryant Johnson1Devin Rappleye2Corresponding author.; Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USADepartment of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USADepartment of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USAElectrorefining in molten salts is used for purifying actinides. Optimizing electrorefining is key to minimizing processing time and radiological waste. One possible way of improving electrorefining efficiency is using an AC superimposed DC waveform. This waveform has demonstrated potential benefits in aqueous solutions but has never been utilized in a molten metal, molten salt application. This work investigates the effects of using an AC superimposed DC waveform on molten bismuth electrorefining in a molten LiCl–KCl–CaCl2 eutectic. Bismuth has been identified as a potential surrogate for plutonium electrorefining and a potential cathode in electrorefining used nuclear fuel (UNF). All electrorefining runs resulted in a high purity cathode ring and high yield with exception of the run using a low-frequency, high-amplitude superimposed AC waveform, which experienced some contamination and a lower yield. The other three AC superimposed DC runs experienced an average yield 6.7 % higher than the average yield of the DC runs. The electrorefining run using the high-frequency, high-amplitude superimposed AC signal had the highest yield. It is recommended in future studies to investigate the statistical variability of electrorefining yield and current efficiency and the impact of AC superimposed DC waveforms on solidified bismuth anodes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573323005387BismuthElectrorefiningWaveformEfficiencyYield |
| spellingShingle | Greg Chipman Bryant Johnson Devin Rappleye Application of AC superimposed DC waveforms to bismuth electrorefining Nuclear Engineering and Technology Bismuth Electrorefining Waveform Efficiency Yield |
| title | Application of AC superimposed DC waveforms to bismuth electrorefining |
| title_full | Application of AC superimposed DC waveforms to bismuth electrorefining |
| title_fullStr | Application of AC superimposed DC waveforms to bismuth electrorefining |
| title_full_unstemmed | Application of AC superimposed DC waveforms to bismuth electrorefining |
| title_short | Application of AC superimposed DC waveforms to bismuth electrorefining |
| title_sort | application of ac superimposed dc waveforms to bismuth electrorefining |
| topic | Bismuth Electrorefining Waveform Efficiency Yield |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573323005387 |
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