Dilution of Li-Li2O in a metallic fuel produced through oxide reduction using ZrO2-assisted rinsing in molten LiCl

Abstract

This study explored the feasibility of rinsing a metallic fuel in a separate LiCl salt as a new alternative to salt distillation, aimed to dilute Li and Li2O in the residual oxide reduction (OR) salt of the fuel and then supply the fuel for electrorefining. The rinsed metallic fuel was conducted by simply immersing the fuel in a LiCl salt at 650 °C. During the immersion, the residual OR salt in the fuel was dissolved, and Li2O and Li generated during the OR of the fuel were diluted. Li and Li2O dissolved in LiCl were successfully consumed by chemically reacting with ZrO2 immersed in the salt. Even after the metallic fuel was rinsed in a common LiCl salt, the Li-Li2O concentration in the salt was maintained at the initial concentration before the rinsing owing to the use of ZrO2. Moreover, the Li-Li2O in the fuel was significantly diluted during the rinsing.