METHOD FOR PROCESSING OXIDE NUCLEAR FUEL IN MOLTEN SALTS Russian patent published in 2022 - IPC G21C19/42 C25C3/34 

FIELD: nuclear power.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to nuclear power, in particular to methods for processing oxide nuclear fuel, and can be used primarily in a closed nuclear fuel cycle (CNFC). The method includes electrolysis of a LiCl melt with the addition of at least 1 wt.% Li₂O at a temperature not exceeding 700°С using an inert cathode and an oxygen-evolving anode from a NiO-Li₂O mixture. Electrolysis is carried out at an anode current density not higher than 0.6 A/cm². The electrolysis of an oxide-halide melt is carried out in an electrolyzer in which the anode and cathode spaces are separated by a ceramic diaphragm, mainly from MgO, on the part immersed in the melt, there are holes with a diameter of not more than 3 mm.

EFFECT: invention makes it possible to reduce the duration of electrolysis and the amount of electricity required for the most complete recovery of the fuel, as well as to reduce corrosion of structural elements of the electrolyzer for the implementation of the method.

2 cl, 1 dwg, 1 tbl