Electrochemical Behavior of Samarium in Molten LiCl-KCl

Abstract

The mass transport behavior of samarium was investigated in molten eutectic LiCl-KCl in order to develop real-time concentration monitoring capabilities for the pyrochemical reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. Pyrochemical reprocessing relies on electrolysis in molten LiCl-KCl to recycle fissile material from used nuclear fuel. Without the capabilities to monitor concentrations of various actinides and fission products, pyrochemical reprocessing cannot be commercialized due to strict material accountability requirements set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) [1]. Therefore, physical electrochemical properties of these species in molten salts is extremely important. Cyclic voltammetry was utilized to investigate electrochemical behavior of samarium in LiCl-KCl. By establishing valid relationships between these parameters and the peak current, the diffusion coefficient of samarium in our system can be reported with confidence [2]. Experiments were conducted in a high-purity argon atmosphere glove box using a three-electrode cell contained in an alumina crucible inside a resistive furnace. A high-resolution translation stage equipped with ceramic electrode mounts was used to accurately control electrode positions inside the melt. Tungsten was used as the counter and working electrodes, and a silver wire was used as a quasi-reference (Ag|AgCl2). The variation in peak current that resulted from changing the concentration, scan rate and electrode surface area will be reported, along with calculated diffusion coefficient values for samarium in molten LiCl-KCl at 500°C. The effects of using molybdenum as a working electrode will also be reported and compared to results obtained using tungsten. A comparison between reported diffusion coefficient values obtained by separate research organizations and results obtained in these studies will also be discussed. Acknowledgements: This work was performed under the auspices of the Department of Energy (DOE) under contracts DE-NE0008262 and DE-NE0008236 as well as the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) under contracts NRCHQ-11-G-38-0039. Dr. Kenny Osborne serves as the program manager for the DOE award and Ms. Nancy Hebron-Isreal serves as the grants program officer for the NRC awards.