An optimal method for phosphorylation of rare earth chlorides in LiCl–KCl eutectic based waste salt

Abstract

A study on an optimal method for the phosphorylation of rare earth chlorides in LiCl–KCl eutectic waste salt generated the pyrochemical process of spent nuclear fuel was performed. A reactor with a pitched four blade impeller was designed to create a homogeneous mixing zone in LiCl–KCl eutectic salt. A phosphorylation test of NdCl3 in the salt was carried out by changing the operation conditions (operation temperature, stirring rate, agent injection amount). Based on the results of the test, a proper operation condition (450°C, 300rpm, 1eq. of phosphorylation agent) for over a 0.99 conversion ratio of NdCl3 to NdPO4 was determined. Under this condition, multi-component rare earth (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Y) chlorides were effectively converted into phosphate forms. It was confirmed that the existing regeneration process of LiCl–KCl eutectic waste salt can be greatly improved and simplified through these phosphorylation test results.