Inventors:
David S. Poa - Naperville IL
Leslie Burris - Naperville IL
Robert K. Steunenberg - Naperville IL
Zygmunt Tomczuk - Orland Park IL
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC
International Classification:
C25C 300
C25C 308
C25C 322
Abstract:
An apparatus and process for reducing uranium and/or plutonium oxides to produce a solid, high-purity metal. The apparatus is an electrolyte cell consisting of a first container, and a smaller second container within the first container. An electrolyte fills both containers, the level of the electrolyte in the first container being above the top of the second container so that the electrolyte can be circulated between the containers. The anode is positioned in the first container while the cathode is located in the second container. Means are provided for passing an inert gas into the electrolyte near the lower end of the anode to sparge the electrolyte and to remove gases which form on the anode during the reduction operation. Means are also provided for mixing and stirring the electrolyte in the first container to solubilize the metal oxide in the electrolyte and to transport the electrolyte containing dissolved oxide into contact with the cathode in the second container. The cell is operated at a temperature below the melting temperature of the metal product so that the metal forms as a solid on the cathode.