Specialized metallurgical processes – compositions for use therei – Processes – Electrothermic processes
Patent
1982-09-20
1984-07-10
Hunt, Brooks H.
Specialized metallurgical processes, compositions for use therei
Processes
Electrothermic processes
B22C 300
Patent
active
044591535
ABSTRACT:
A pyrochemical process for extracting plutonium from a plutonium-bearing salt is disclosed. The process is particularly useful in the recovery of plutonium from electrolyte salts which are left over from the electrorefining of plutonium. In accordance with the process, the plutonium-bearing salt is melted and mixed with metallic calcium. The calcium reduces ionized plutonium in the salt to plutonium metal, and also causes metallic plutonium in the salt, which is typically present as finely dispersed metallic shot, to coalesce. The reduced and coalesced plutonium separates out on the bottom of the reaction vessel as a separate metallic phase which is readily separable from the overlying salt upon cooling of the mixture. Yields of plutonium are typically on the order of 95%. The stripped salt is virtually free of plutonium and may be discarded to low-level waste storage.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2890110 (1959-06-01), Baker
patent: 2899298 (1959-08-01), Anicetti
patent: 3049423 (1962-08-01), Reavis et al.
patent: 3666442 (1972-05-01), Conner
Mullins et al., "Fused Salt Processing of Impure Plutonium Dioxide to High-Purity Plutonium Metal," LA-9154-MS UC-10, Jan. 1982.
Mullins et al., "A Review of Operating Experience at the Los Alamos Plutonium Electrorefining Facility, 1963-1977," LA-8943, Dec. 1981.
Christensen Dana C.
Mullins Lawrence J.
Eklund William A.
Esposito Michael F.
Gaetjens Paul D.
Hunt Brooks H.
The United States of America as represented by the United States
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