Steel Basket Research Articles

(Invited) Consumable Fe Anode for Use in Direct Electrolytic Reduction of Spent Oxide Fuel

The direct electrolytic reduction (DER) process can be used to reduce UO2 to U metal in a molten LiCl-Li2O electrolyte. In the baseline process, UO2 is loaded in a steel basket that serves as the cathode, while O2 gas is generated at a Pt anode. The use of Pt for anodes is non-optimal because of its cost and tendency to corrode via lithium platinate formation during the DER process. Other inert metals and cermets for DER anodes have been extensively researched to reduce the cost. Alternatively, reactive anodes may be considered that form disposable metal oxides rather than O2 gas. Thus, we investigated the behavior of pure iron rods as anodes for this process. Experiments were performed using a LiCl-2wt%Li2O electrolyte at 650oC in an Ar atmosphere glove box with <10 ppm O2 and H2O. UO2 powder was loaded into a stainless-steel cathode basket. A 7.56-mm diameter iron rod was used as the anode. Anode and cathode potentials were measured relative to a Ni/NiO reference electrode encased in a MgO tube with a porous MgO plug. The cell was run via controlled anode potential with increments from 0.2–1.0 V versus Ni/NiO. The headspace gas was sampled during experiments and analyzed for O2. Throughout the experiment, the cathode potential was consistent with either direct reduction of UO2 or reduction of Li2O, which forms Li that will also reduce UO2 to U metal. LECO oxygen analysis indicated 32% reduction of UO2 with a cell efficiency of 37%. Li2O concentration remained constant in the salt; thus, net oxidation must have occurred at the anode. The Fe anode was pulled out of the salt and photographed after stages of holding the potential at 0.2–1.0 V versus Ni/NiO in 0.1 V increments for about 11-12 min at each stage. Yet unidentified metal oxides were observed on the anode surface after holding at potentials of 0.4 V and 0.6–1.0 V. O2 was detected in the headspace gas when the anode potential was increased to 1.0 V. Thus, iron oxides form at lower potentials, while O2 gas formation occurs at a threshold potential. O2 formation may be enabled by the oxide layer passivating the iron against further oxidation. Results of ICP-MS of salt samples taken throughout the experiment showed no increase in Fe concentration in the salt. A metallic deposit formed on the outside of the cathode basket, implying some electrotransport occurred from the anode to the cathode. The results of this study show that cheap, disposable iron anodes are promising for the DER process. After an initial stage of formation of an iron oxide phase on the surface of the anode, O2 gas forms at a sufficiently high potential (1.0 V versus Ni/NiO). Further work is needed to achieve a more detailed mechanistic understanding of the effect of anode potential on specific reactions at the anode. Optimization of the anode potential may serve to promote O2 formation and minimize the rate of consumption of iron anodes.DISCLAIMERThis work of authorship and those incorporated herein were prepared by Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) as accounts of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government under Contract DE-NA-0001942. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor CNS, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility to any non-governmental recipient hereof for the accuracy, completeness, use made, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency or contractor thereof, or by CNS. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency or contractor (other than the authors) thereof.COPYRIGHT NOTICEThis document has been authored by Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, under Contract DE-NA-0001942 with the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration, or a subcontractor thereof. The United States Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the document for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this document, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes.

Release of microplastic particles to the aquatic environment via wastewater treatment plants: The impact of sand filters as tertiary treatment

Monitoring of microplastics (MP) release into the aquatic environment is an important topic and proposed point sources for microplastics are wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Three full-scale WWTPs (A, B, C) were investigated to compare the effect of continuously and discontinuously backwashed sand filters to retain microplastics from secondary treated wastewater effluents. A cascade filtration unit using steel basket filters with mesh sizes of 100 µm, 50 µm and 10 µm was employed for sampling. The subsequent analysis used thermal extraction desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TED-GC–MS). This combined analytical approach offered the benefit of sampling multiple cubic meters of WWTP effluent and using a robust quantification analytical method for microplastic without the need for an additional chemical-based sample preparation step. Due to the different capacities of the three WWTPs, the results were normalized based on population equivalents (P.E.). Four common polymers were targeted in this study (i.e., PE, PS, PP, and PET). PE was the most common polymer detected in secondary effluents, with normalized annual loads ranging between 2.8 mg yr–1P.E.-1 and 8.4 mg yr-1P.E.-1. Results showed that sand filters offered additional efficient MP retention capabilities, with the sand filters offering, on average, an extra 79% ± 11% of MP retention when compared to secondary treatment. Finally, one filter cell with aged and one with restored granular media were compared. The aged cell did not indicate lower retention of microplastic while using granular media that was already in operation for seven years.

The impact of welding technology on the manufacture of metal baskets

The submitted paper is closely connected with the challenging complex of problems relating to degradation of the anti-corrosion parts. The given anti-corrosion parts are represented by welded Cr-Ni steel baskets, which are also known as “hardening baskets”. The given “hardening baskets” are commonly used for embedding of the bearing parts to be quenched and tempered. Based on the utilisation, the mentioned welded metal baskets, which are made of X8CrNi25-21 steel, are exposed to the long-term cyclic thermal loading in the furnace. Relating to the manufacture of “hardening baskets” and investigation, the significant attention was paid to the effect of the used welding electrodes on the performance and quality of the welded joints. The weldability of austenitic X8CrNi25-21 steel has the considerable effect on these three phenomena: susceptibility of this material to the crack initiation, precipitation of chromium carbides in microstructure and occurrence of the intermetallic phases. The main objective was to evaluate the structure of welded joints produced by welding technology and the main features of their damage in order to compare the impact of individual filling materials on the quality of welds in the cage baskets as well as to evaluate the hardness course. In addition, evaluation of the macrostructure as well as microstructure changes was based on static tests. The results of evaluation are reflected in the recommendation of the most appropriate welding filling material. All aspects, which could lead to the occurrence of the critical states, were subjected to the complex investigation in the terms of the structural properties and moreover, there is also the final recommendation for possible elimination of the undesired phenomena.

Metatarsophalangeal Arthrodesis through the Modified Steel Basket Technique in Foal

Background: The metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints are very demanded during high intensity exercises, and may be affected by osteoarthritis, fractures, luxations and rupture of the suspensory apparatus. Thus, arthrodesis may be indicated to restore joint stability and accelerate the ankylosis process. The most commonly used surgical techniques have been associated with postoperative complications, including infection and failure of the implants, so it is important to develop procedures that are less invasive procedures and promoting stable fixation. Therefore, the aim of this work is to report the use of the modified steel basket technique for metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis in a foal with hyperextension of the joint due to rupture of the digital flexor muscles. Case: A 2-day-old male foal was admitted to clinical care, presenting multiple cutaneous wounds caused by dogs bites, located in the tarsus and thigh of the hindlimb. The animal presented in standing position and had no difficulty of movement, being initially treated through daily cleaning of the cutaneous wounds and systemic antibiotic therapy. Hyperextension of the metatarsophalangeal joint was evidenced after 20 days, being approached through tenotomy and tendon shortening, followed by tenorrhaphy and immobilization for 30 days. Due to the failure of the treatment, it was opted for metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis by modified steel basket technique. The procedure involved the implantation of a steel basket of 25.0 mm in diameter x 25.0 mm long in a 24.0 mm hole created on the dorsal surface between the third metacarpal and the proximal phalanx. The basket was filled with bone extracted from drilling and fixed with two cortical screws at an angle of 25° toward proximoplantar and distoplantar direction. Immobilization of the limb was performed postoperatively with synthetic plaster cast for 45 days and, due to the persistence of lameness, maintained with Robert Jones banding and plantar splint for another 15 days. At 90 days after surgery, radiographic control showed signs of degeneration and joint fusion, and grade 2 claudication (1-5) was observed during locomotion. At six months after surgery, discrete claudication (grade 1/1-5) was evident. The aesthetic and functional result was considered satisfactory and the animal was then ridden and used for leisure. Discussion: In this report, arthrodesis was indicated due to hyperextension of the metatarsophalangeal joint caused by the rupture of the digital flexor muscles, since these structures, together with the suspensory apparatus, assist in the support of the joint. Several techniques have been descrited for arthrodesis of metacarpal/metatarsophalangeal joints in horses, being the technique described by Bramlage the most employed and successful one. However, complications related to the techniques such as infection and implant failure were evidenced in one study. The technique of the modified steel basket is characterized by the promotional of effective intervertebral arthrodesis in cases of cervical instability in horses. In this report, the technique was effective in promoting metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis, as well as easy and quick to perform. Therefore, it is suggested that the technique may be used as an alternative for metacarpal/metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis in horses with osteoarthritis or hyperextension of the joint due to suspensory apparatus failure. However, studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the technique in metacarpophalangeal arthrodesis in adult horses.

Identification of microplastics in wastewater after cascade filtration using Pyrolysis-GC–MS

The combination of a representative microplastic sampling method and a fast-quantitative analysis using Pyrolysis-GC–MS (Py-GC–MS) for investigation of the microplastic load and mass balances is presented in this work. A representative microplastic filtration requires a method allowing quick extraction of the sample. The developed steel based cascadic microplastic filtration uses steel basket filters with mesh sizes of 100 μm, 50 μm and 10 μm and a mean recovery of 86 % without cross contamination was achieved. Thermoanalytical methods have the advantage of minimal sample preparation with short analysis times. The presented platinum filament-based Py-GC–MS method requires little sample preparation and quantification limits for polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) were 0.03 μg and 1 μg absolute, respectively. The relative standard deviation of the analytical method is 11 %. The combined method allows representative sampling and analysis of MP from water bodies and waste water treatment plants within 48 h.•Presentation of a validated steel based cascadic microplastic filtration plant.•Fast and reproduceable Py-GC–MS analysis method for microplastic.•Py-GC–MS allows microplastic analysis with little sample preparation.

Comparative study of monolithic platinum and iridium as oxygen-evolving anodes during the electrolytic reduction of uranium oxide in a molten LiCl–Li2O electrolyte

A series of four electrolytic reduction runs was performed in molten salt at bench scale to compare the performance characteristics of monolithic platinum and iridium as oxygen-evolving anodes, while simultaneously reducing uranium oxide to metal. In each run, 25 g of uranium oxide particulate was loaded into a permeable steel basket, which, in turn, was immersed in a pool of LiCl—1 wt% Li2O at 650 °C. Both anodes, each 3 mm in diameter, were suspended vertically in the salt pool, adjacent to the steel cathode basket. The anodes were connected in parallel to separate direct current power supplies with the uranium oxide-loaded basket as the common cathode. A cell voltage (3.1 V) was intermittently applied to the system with both power supplies operating concurrently, effecting the reduction of uranium oxide to uranium metal at the cathode basket and the simultaneous oxidation of oxygen anions in the salt to oxygen gas at each anode. Anode and cathode potentials and currents were recorded to compare the performance of platinum vis-a-vis iridium. After completing the series of runs, both anodes were removed and subjected to dimensional, chemical, and microscopic analyses. Even though the accumulated charges on each anode over the series of four runs were similar, the platinum anode exhibited up to 29% reduction in cross-sectional area compared to < 3% for the iridium anode.

Uranium recovery from liquid cadmium separated from the molten salt used in electrorefining

A test was conducted to separate Cd from Cd/LiCl–KCl salt using a stainless steel basket with holes 0.5 mm in size. A thermal cycle test of Cd in the mesh basket was repeated 15 times to confirm the containment property. U was recovered from a bare Cd–U alloy via distillation at a low temperature of around 400–500 °C in a morphology of porous particles, showing no evidence for the bumping of the Cd–U alloy. The U recovery efficiency at a kg-scale reached 100%.

Optimization of [formula omitted] and [formula omitted] separation from molten LiCl-KCl eutectic salt via galvanic drawdown with sacrificial Gd anode

Improvements in the galvanic reduction of UCl3 from LiCl-KCl-UCl3 molten salts are reported. This process has potential application for drawdown operations for electrorefiner salt. Short circuiting a gadolinium rod to a stainless steel basket causes a galvanic reaction which results in simultaneous reduction of UCl3 to U(0) and oxidation of Gd(0) to GdCl3. Two galvanic cell configurations were tested: one with the gadolinium metal inserted into the stainless steel basket, and one with the gadolinium metal separated from the stainless steel basket. When using a rotating basket and a physically separated gadolinium metal rod, concentration of uranium decreased from 0.168 to <0.00004 mol % within 105 min, representing over 99.97% removal from salt. Electrochemical potential measurements were recorded for the galvanic couple, and it was found that the potential became more negative during reduction process and leveled off when all of the UCl3 was reduced. In experiments in which MgCl2 was added to the salt as a surrogate for PuCl3, it was observed to co-deposit with the UCl3. Other rare earth chlorides (LaCl3, NdCl3, and CeCl3) were not removed from the salt during the reduction process.

Galvanic reduction of uranium(III) chloride from LiCl-KCl eutectic salt using gadolinium metal

The drawdown of actinides is an important unit operation to enable the recycling of electrorefiner salt and minimization of waste. A new method for the drawdown of actinide chlorides from LiCl-KCl molten salt has been demonstrated here. Using the galvanic interaction between the Gd/Gd(III) and U/U(III) redox reactions, it is shown that UCl3 concentration in eutectic LiCl-KCl can be reduced from 8.06 wt.% (1.39 mol %) to 0.72 wt.% (0.12 mol %) in about an hour via plating U metal onto a steel basket. This is a simple process for returning actinides to the electrorefiner and minimizing their loss to the salt waste stream.

Electrochemical Methods for Determination of Activity Coefficients of Lanthanides in Molten Salts

The electrochemical behavior of lanthanides and actinides in molten salts is an important area of research from the standpoint of development of Generation IV nuclear reactors and management of spent fuel. Electrochemical separation of these elements in molten salts is a key technology within nuclear fuel pyroprocessing, which can be an effective approach to managing spent nuclear fuel waste for a closed nuclear fuel cycle. In electrorefiners, for example, metallic spent fuel is placed in a steel basket, which serves as the anode for the cell. These electrorefiners use molten LiCl-KCl eutectic salt as the electrolyte. By controlling the cathode potential, uranium or grouped actinides can be selectively reduced onto the cathode while rare earths and other fission products remain in the molten salt. For such separations to be efficient and have low levels of rare earth contamination, it is imperative that we understand and are able to predict key electrochemical properties (apparent reduction potential and activity coefficients) of these elements accurately under conditions of interest. Models based on thermodynamic and kinetic relationships coupled with knowledge of such properties will help in design, development and operation of optimized electrorefiners. For this paper, the apparent reduction potentials and activity coefficients of two lanthanides, lanthanum chloride and neodymium chloride, were determined experimentally using a two electrode electrochemical cell. Equilibrium potential was measured as the open circuit potential for the La/La(III) and Nd/Nd(III) redox couple versus a reference electrode. For the lanthanum system, the reference electrode was 5 mole % Ag/AgCl in LiCl-KCl salt. For the neodymium system, the reference electrode was Nd/NdCl3(saturated) in LiCl-KCl salt. Using this set-up, the activity coefficients can be calculated using the Nernst equation. However, the difference in reference electrodes in the two systems represents fundamentally different approaches to measuring activity of a species in a molten salt mixture. The former approach with lanthanum chloride requires calculation of the standard potential (E0), which in this case is equivalent to the Gibbs free energy of pure supercooled liquid. But the latter approach with neodymium chloride allows us to directly measure of activity, since the standard potential terms drop out when using a reference electrode based on the standard state. However, the measurement of the activity coefficient of neodymium chloride was complicated by the presence of two oxidation states of neodymium ions present in the molten salt (+2 and +3). For determining these activity coefficients, it was necessary to be able to determine the speciation of the two ions present. This study has revealed interesting concentration dependence of the activity coefficients. For example, the activity coefficient of LaCl3 systematically varies between 2 x 10-3 to 1.2 x 10-2 at 773 K and goes through a maximum at a mole fraction of approximately 0.55 mole % La. Temperature dependence of the activity coefficients was measured as well as the effect of the presence of other components (CsCl) in the salt mixture.

Modified steel basket technique for the treatment of equine cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy - a case report

A mielopatia estenotica cervical (MEC), tambem conhecida com ataxia cervical ou sindrome de Wobbler, e causada por um estreitamento do canal vertebral devido a malformacao das vertebrais cervicais, resultando em uma compressao da medula espinhal e alteracoes neurologicas como ataxia, fraqueza e postura anormal. As opcoes de tratamento podem ser conservador ou cirurgico, sendo que ambos apresentam eficacia variavel. A tecnica cirurgica mais apropriada para a maioria dos casos e a artrodese, promovendo rapida e eficiente descompressao da medula espinhal. O objetivo deste trabalho e relatar o caso de um equino com MEC que foi tratado cirurgicamente aplicando-se uma tecnica modificada com um novo tipo de cesto metalico. O diagnostico foi realizado por meio do historico, sinais clinicos e evidencias radiograficas de compressao medular entre as vertebras C3 e C4, apos descartar possiveis agentes infecciosos. O procedimento cirurgico para descompressao e estabilizacao do ponto de estenose foi realizado utilizando-se a tecnica modificada de Cloward e um novo modelo de cesto de aco fixado com dois parafusos. Evidencias de fusao foram obtidas por exames radiograficos periodicos durante seis meses de pos-operatorio. O novo modelo de cesto de aco utilizado nessa cirurgia provou ser eficiente para descompressao e estabilizacao das vertebras, permitindo o desenvolvimento da artrodese e remissao dos sinais clinicos. A fixacao do cesto com parafusos reduziu o risco de migracao do implante.

Test and study on spontaneous ignition temperature of a Philippine coal

Temperature programmed method is adopted to study spontaneous combustion of a Philippine coal. A tested sample exposed to the air and a reference sample isolated from the air are placed and heated in an oven. When the tested sample temperature reaches a certain value, spontaneous combustion occurs, causing the temperature increase curves of the two samples separating. Two different holders, isothermal copper tube and stainless steel basket, are used respectively to simulate two different temperature and oxygen concentration boundary conditions. The results show that spontaneous ignition temperature of the coal in the isothermal tube only with top cover ventilation is about 120°C, while that of the sample in the basket with six-surface ventilation is about 100°C. Additionally, as the temperature of the sample in the basket is higher than 40°C, the temperature increase curve deviates from the original trend due to heat release from oxygen adsorption.

Preliminary safety analysis of criticality for dual-purpose metal cask under dry storage conditions in South Korea

A dual-purpose metal cask is under development led by Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD) in Korea, for the dry interim storage and long-distance transportation. This cask comprises a main body made of carbon steel and a stainless steel Dry Shielded Canister (DSC), with stainless steel baskets inside to contain spent fuel assemblies. In this study, nuclear criticality safety analysis was conducted as a part of safety assessment of the metal cask. Analysis to show criticality safety in accordance with regulatory requirements of PWR spent fuel storage was carried out. 10CFR72.124 “Criteria for nuclear criticality safety” and the Regulatory Guide of the American Nuclear Society, ANSI/ANS-57.9 “Design Criteria for an Independent Spent Fuel” and US NRC's “Standard Review Plan for Spent Fuel Dry Storage Systems at a General License Facility” were employed as regulatory standard and criteria. This paper shows results of criticality analysis with respect to each designated criterion with modeling of a virtual nuclear fuel assembly and a cask body that induces the maximum reactivity among various design basis fuels of the metal cask. In addition, the sensitivity analysis of nuclear criticality taking into account the various modeling deviation such as manufacturing tolerance and modeling assumptions of conventional models was carried out to ensure the reliability of the analysis result. The criticality evaluation result of the metal cask and the maximum keff under normal and off-normal conditions were 0.36884 and 0.46255, respectively. The maximum keff under a postulated accident condition triggering flux trap reduction between baskets was evaluated to be 0.37854. In addition, the maximum keff under a postulated accident condition of a natural disaster in case of a flooding, was evaluated to be 0.94658 as a maximum reactivity. The criticality evaluations under the above storage conditions showed values below the regulatory requirement (0.95) and the values confirm adequate safety in terms of nuclear criticality.

Improved 4-chlorophenol dechlorination at biocathode in bioelectrochemical system using optimized modular cathode design with composite stainless steel and carbon-based materials

This study developed and optimized a modular biocathode materials design in bioelectrochemical system (BES) using composite metal and carbon-based materials. The 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) dechlorination could be improved with such composite materials. Results showed that stainless steel basket (SSB) filled with graphite granules (GG) and carbon brush (CB) (SSB/GG/CB) was optimum for dechlorination, followed by SSB/CB and SSB/GG, with rate constant k of 0.0418 ± 0.0002, 0.0374 ± 0.0004, and 0.0239 ± 0.0002 h(-1), respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) demonstrated that the composite materials with metal can benefit the electron transfer and decrease the charge transfer resistance to be 80.4 Ω in BES-SSB/GG/CB, much lower than that in BES-SSB (1674.3 Ω), BES-GG (387.3 Ω), and BES-CB (193.8 Ω). This modular cathode design would be scalable with successive modules for BES scale-up, and may offer useful information to guide the selection and design of BES materials towards dechlorination improvement in wastewater treatment.

Recovering Scrap Anode Copper Using Reactive Electrodialysis

Despite functioning without major operational problems—copper electro-refining does not allow complete use of copper anodes, peaking at 85% of the copper anode in weight. Consequently, the remaining 15% of scrap copper must be recirculated into the copper smelting. The use of reactive electrodyalysis is a system capable of continuously electro-refining scrap, by using a stainless steel basket and a cationic exchanging membrane in order to increase production of copper cathodes at the same percentage; it currently today returns to the copper smelter. In terms of specific energy consumption, this process would use between 3 and 4 times the value of normal electro-refining.

Effect of the Anode-to-Cathode Distance on the Electrochemical Reduction in a LiCl-Li2O Molten Salt

Electrochemical reductions of UO2 at various anode-to-cathode distances (1.3, 2.3, 3.2, 3.7 and 5.8 cm) were carried out to investigate the effect of the anode-to-cathode distance on the electrochemical reduction rate. The geometry of the electrolysis cell in this study, apart from the anode-to-cathode distance, was identical for all of the electrolysis runs. Porous UO2 pellets were electrolyzed by controlling a constant cell voltage in molten Li2O-LiCl at 650 o C. A steel basket containing the porous UO2 pellets and a platinum plate were used as the cathode and anode, respectively. The metallic products were characterized by means of a thermogravimetric analyzer, an X-ray diffractometer and a scanning electron microscope. The electrolysis runs conducted dur- ing this study revealed that a short anode-to-cathode distance is advantageous to achieve a high current density and accelerate the electrochemical reduction process.

LiCl-KCl 용융염 내에서 10 g 규모의 Zircaloy-4 폐 피복관 처리를 위한 전기화학적 용해 연구

C LiCl-KCl molten salts to confirm the feasibility of the electrorefining process for the treatment of hull wastes. In the results of measuring the potential-current response using a stainless steel basket filled with oxidized Zircaloy-4 hull specimens, the oxidation peak of Zr appears to be at -0.7 to -0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which is similar to that of fresh Zircaloy-4 hulls, while the oxidation current is found to be much smaller than that of fresh Zircaloy-4 hulls. These results are congruent with the outcome of current-time curves at -0.78 V and of measuring the change in the average weight and thickness after the electrochemical dissolution process. Although the oxide layer on the surface affects the uniformity and rate of dissolution by decreasing the conductivity of Zircaloy-4 hulls, electrochemical dissolution is considered to occur owing to the defect of the surface and phase properties of the Zr oxide layer.Keyword: Zircaloy-4, Hull wastes, Molten salts, Zr oxide, Dissolution, Electrorefining

Electrochemical reduction behavior of a highly porous SIMFUEL particle in a LiCl molten salt

A highly porous SIMFUEL particle is prepared here for use as a feed material for electrochemical reduction. The prepared particles were found to have highly porous and sintered structure. The particles were electrolyzed in a LiCl-1wt.% Li2O melt at 650°C. A steel basket containing the particles and a platinum plate were used as a cathode and an anode, respectively. The analysis result reveals the reduction extent of uranium oxide to be in excess of 99%. The rare earth oxides were reduced to their metallic form in the range of 46–78%. The highly porous structure of the SIMFUEL particles is advantageous to speed up the electrochemical reduction process for pyroprocessing.

할로우 캐소드 방전에 의한 금속소결부품의 질화처리에 관한 연구

An apparatus was constructed to nitrify small metallic sintered components by using a hollow-cathode discharge plasma method. A stainless steel basket, which contains a sintered part to be nitrified, is potentially grounded and serves as hollow-cathode electrode. Hollow-cathode plasma was produced by supplying the positive voltage to the anode. In this study sintered carbon iron and stainless steel were used as testing specimens. It was shown that an effective nitrifying took place by controlling the total pressure of nitrogen and hydrogen gas and applied voltage.

Acrylated stainless steel basket splint for mandibular fractures in children

Acrylated stainless steel basket splint for mandibular fractures in children