Development of High-Temperature Transport Technologies for Liquid Cadmium in Pyrometallurgical Reprocessing

Abstract

Pyrometallurgical reprocessing is one of the most promising technologies for the advanced fuel cycle with favorable economic potential and intrinsic proliferation-resistance. The feasibility of pyrometallurgical reprocessing has been studied through many laboratory-scale experiments. Hence the development of the engineering technology necessary for pyrometallurgical reprocessing is a key issue for its industrialization. The development of high-temperature transport technologies for molten salt and liquid cadmium is crucial for pyrometallurgical processing; however, there have been a few transport studies on high-temperature fluids. In this study, a metal transport test rig was installed in an argon glove box with the aim of developing technologies for transporting liquid cadmium at approximately 773 K. The transport of liquid Cd using gravity was controlled by adjusting the valve. The liquid Cd was transported by a suction pump against a 0.93 m head and the transport amount of Cd was well controlled with the Cd amount and the position of the suction tube. The transportation of liquid cadmium at approximately 700 K could be controlled at a rate of 0.5–2.5 dm3/min against a 1.6 m head using a centrifugal pump.