Purification of LiCl–KCl eutectic waste salt containing rare earth chlorides delivered from the pyrochemical process of used nuclear fuel using a reactive distillation process

Abstract

In the pyrochemical process of used nuclear fuel, the purification of waste salts containing radioactive nuclides can greatly contribute to a radioactive waste reduction. For this reason, the purification of LiCl–KCl eutectic salt containing rare earth chlorides was performed using a series of the phosphorylation process and the distillation process. LiCl–KCl eutectic salt recovered from the purification had a very low concentration (<1 ppm) for the rare earth chlorides. The recycling feasibility of the recovered salt was verified through a uranium electro-deposition test using LiCl–KCl eutectic salt as the electrolyte. Based on these results, one body type of reactive distillation equipment with two top covers was designed.