公开(公告)号：US5531868A

公开(公告)日：1996-07-02

申请号：US267949

申请日：1994-07-06

Applicant: William E. Miller ,  Eddie C. Gay ,  Zygmunt Tomczuk

Inventor： William E. Miller ,  Eddie C. Gay ,  Zygmunt Tomczuk

IPC: C25C3/34 ,  C25C7/00

CPC classification number: C25C7/005 ,  C25C3/34

Abstract: A combination anode and cathode for an electrorefiner which includes a hollow cathode and an anode positioned inside the hollow cathode such that a portion of the anode is near the cathode. A retaining member is positioned at the bottom of the cathode. Mechanism is included for providing relative movement between the anode and the cathode during deposition of metal on the inside surface of the cathode during operation of the electrorefiner to refine spent nuclear fuel. A method is also disclosed which includes electrical power means selectively connectable to the anode and the hollow cathode for providing electrical power to the cell components, electrically transferring uranium values and plutonium values from the anode to the electrolyte, and electrolytically depositing substantially pure uranium on the hollow cathode. Uranium and plutonium are deposited at a liquid cathode together after the PuCl.sub.3 to UCl.sub.3 ratio is greater than 2:1. Slots in the hollow cathode provides close anode access for the liquid pool in the liquid cathode.

Abstract translation: 用于电学纯化器的组合阳极和阴极，其包括中空阴极和位于中空阴极内部的阳极，使得阳极的一部分靠近阴极。 保持构件位于阴极的底部。 包括用于在电精炼机操作期间金属沉积在阴极内部以净化废核燃料时在阳极和阴极之间提供相对运动的机构。 还公开了一种方法，其包括可选择性地连接到阳极和空心阴极的电功率装置，用于向电池组件提供电力，将铀值和钚值从阳极电转移到电解质，以及将基本上纯的铀电解沉积在 空心阴极。 在PuCl3与UCl3之比大于2:1后，铀和钚一起沉积在液体阴极上。 中空阴极中的插槽为液体阴极中的液池提供了近乎阳极的接近。

公开(公告)号：US5009752A

公开(公告)日：1991-04-23

申请号：US398578

申请日：1989-08-25

Applicant: Zygmunt Tomczuk ,  William E. Miller ,  Raymond D. Wolson ,  Eddie C. Gay

Inventor： Zygmunt Tomczuk ,  William E. Miller ,  Raymond D. Wolson ,  Eddie C. Gay

IPC: C25C3/34 ,  C25C7/00

CPC classification number: C25C3/34 ,  C25C7/005

Abstract: An electrochemical process and apparatus for the recovery of uranium and plutonium from spent metal clad fuel pins is disclosed. The process uses secondary reactions between U.sup.+4 cations and elemental uranium at the anode to increase reaction rates and improve anodic efficiency compared to prior art processes. In another embodiment of the process, secondary reactions between Cd.sup.+2 cations and elemental uranium to form uranium cations and elemental cadmium also assists in oxidizing the uranium at the anode.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于从废金属包覆燃料销中回收铀和钚的电化学方法和装置。 该方法在阳极处使用U + 4阳离子和元素铀之间的二次反应来提高反应速率并提高阳极效率。 在该方法的另一个实施方案中，Cd + 2阳离子和元素铀之间形成铀阳离子和元素镉的二次反应也有助于氧化阳极处的铀。

公开(公告)号：US5650053A

公开(公告)日：1997-07-22

申请号：US562612

申请日：1995-11-24

Applicant: Eddie C. Gay ,  William E. Miller ,  James J. Laidler

Inventor： Eddie C. Gay ,  William E. Miller ,  James J. Laidler

IPC: C22B60/02 ,  C22B60/04 ,  C25C7/00 ,  C25C7/06 ,  G21C19/48 ,  C25D17/00 ,  A62D3/00 ,  C25C3/00

CPC classification number: C25C7/06 ,  C22B60/0213 ,  C22B60/04 ,  C25C7/007 ,  G21C19/48 ,  Y02P10/212 ,  Y02W30/884

Abstract: A cathode-anode arrangement for use in an electrolytic cell is adapted for electrochemically refining spent nuclear fuel from a nuclear reactor and recovering purified uranium for further treatment and possible recycling as a fresh blanket or core fuel in a nuclear reactor. The arrangement includes a plurality of inner anodic dissolution baskets that are each attached to a respective support rod, are submerged in a molten lithium halide salt, and are rotationally displaced. An inner hollow cylindrical-shaped cathode is concentrically disposed about the inner anodic dissolution baskets. Concentrically disposed about the inner cathode in a spaced manner are a plurality of outer anodic dissolution baskets, while an outer hollow cylindrical-shaped is disposed about the outer anodic dissolution baskets. Uranium is transported from the anode baskets and deposited in a uniform cylindrical shape on the inner and outer cathode cylinders by rotating the anode baskets within the molten lithium halide salt. Scrapers located on each anode basket abrade and remove the spent fuel deposits on the surfaces of the inner and outer cathode cylinders, with the spent fuel falling to the bottom of the cell for removal. Cell resistance is reduced and uranium deposition rate enhanced by increasing the electrode area and reducing the anode-cathode spacing. Collection efficiency is enhanced by trapping and recovery of uranium dendrites scrapped off of the cylindrical cathodes which may be greater in number than two.

Abstract translation: 用于电解池的阴极 - 阳极装置适用于从核反应堆电化学炼制废核燃料，并回收纯化的铀进一步处理，并可能在核反应堆中作为新鲜的毯子或核心燃料循环使用。 该装置包括多个内部阳极溶解篮，其各自附接到相应的支撑杆，浸没在熔融的卤化锂盐中，并被旋转移位。 内部中空圆柱形阴极围绕内部阳极溶解篮同心地设置。 围绕内阴极以间隔方式集中布置有多个外阳极溶解篮，而外中空圆柱形围绕外阳极溶解篮设置。 通过将阳极筐旋转在熔融的卤化锂盐内，铀从阳极筐传送并以均匀的圆柱形形式沉积在内外阴极气缸上。 位于每个阳极篮上的刮板磨损并且去除内外阴极气缸表面上的废燃料沉积物，而废燃料落到电池底部以除去。 电池电阻降低，并且通过增加电极面积并降低阳极 - 阴极间距来提高铀沉积速率。 通过捕获和回收从圆柱形阴极废弃的铀枝晶可提高收集效率，其数目可能大于2。

公开(公告)号：US4029860A

公开(公告)日：1977-06-14

申请号：US657525

申请日：1976-02-12

Applicant: Donald R. Vissers ,  Hiroshi Shimotake ,  Eddie C. Gay ,  Fredric J. Martino

Inventor： Donald R. Vissers ,  Hiroshi Shimotake ,  Eddie C. Gay ,  Fredric J. Martino

IPC: H01M4/70 ,  H01M10/39 ,  H01M10/38

CPC classification number: H01M4/70 ,  H01M10/399

Abstract: Electrodes for secondary electrochemical cells are provided with compartments for containing particles of the electrode reactant. The compartments are defined by partitions that are generally impenetrable to the particles of reactant and, in some instances, to the liquid electrolyte used in the cell. During cycling of the cell, reactant material initially loaded into a particular compartment is prevented from migrating and concentrating within the lower portion of the electrode or those portions of the electrode that exhibit reduced electrical resistance.

Abstract translation: 用于二次电化学电池的电极设置有用于容纳电极反应物颗粒的隔室。 隔室由通常对反应物颗粒不透气的隔板限定，并且在某些情况下由电池中使用的液体电解质限定。 在电池循环期间，防止最初加载到特定隔室中的反应物材料迁移并集中在电极的下部或电极的表现出降低的电阻的部分。

公开(公告)号：US07011736B1

公开(公告)日：2006-03-14

申请号：US10637089

申请日：2003-08-05

Applicant: William E. Miller ,  Eddie C. Gay ,  Zygmunt Tomczuk

Inventor： William E. Miller ,  Eddie C. Gay ,  Zygmunt Tomczuk

IPC: C25C3/34

CPC classification number: C25C3/34 ,  C25C7/005

Abstract: A improved device and process for recycling spent nuclear fuels, in particular uranium metal, that facilitates the refinement and recovery of uranium metal from spent metallic nuclear fuels. The electrorefiner device comprises two anodes in predetermined spatial relation to a cathode. The anodese have separate current and voltage controls. A much higher voltage than normal for the electrorefining process is applied to the second anode, thereby facilitating oxidization of uranium (III), U+, to uranium (IV), U+4. The current path from the second anode to the cathode is physically shorter than the similar current path from the second anode to the spent nuclear fuel contained in a first anode shaped as a basket. The resulting U+4 oxidizes and solubilizes rough uranium deposited on the surface of the cathode. A softer uranium metal surface is left on the cathode and is more readily removed by a scraper.

Abstract translation: 用于回收废核燃料，特别是铀金属的改进装置和方法，其有助于从废金属核燃料中精炼和回收铀金属。 电学纯化装置包括与阴极预定的空间关系的两个阳极。 阳极电池具有单独的电流和电压控制。 对于第二阳极施加比正常电压高的电解精炼工艺，因此铀（III），铀（Ⅳ），铀（Ⅳ），U + 4， SUP>。 从第二阳极到阴极的电流路径物理上短于从第二阳极到包含在形成为篮状物的第一阳极中的废核燃料的类似电流路径。 所产生的U + 4氧化并溶解沉积在阴极表面上的粗铀。 较软的铀金属表面留在阴极上，更容易被刮刀去除。

公开(公告)号：US5454914A

公开(公告)日：1995-10-03

申请号：US172313

申请日：1993-12-23

Applicant: Eddie C. Gay

Inventor： Eddie C. Gay

IPC: C22B59/00 ,  C22B60/02 ,  C25C3/34 ,  G21C19/48

CPC classification number: C22B59/00 ,  C22B60/0213 ,  C25C3/34 ,  G21C19/48 ,  Y02W30/884

Abstract: An electrochemical method of separating heavy metal values from a radioactive molten salt including Li halide at temperatures of about 500.degree. C. The method comprises positioning a solid Li--Cd alloy anode in the molten salt containing the heavy metal values, positioning a Cd-containing cathode or a solid cathode positioned above a catch crucible in the molten salt to recover the heavy metal values, establishing a voltage drop between the anode and the cathode to deposit material at the cathode to reduce the concentration of heavy metals in the salt, and controlling the deposition rate at the cathode by controlling the current between the anode and cathode.

Abstract translation: 一种在约500℃的温度下从包括Li卤化物的放射性熔融盐分离重金属值的电化学方法。该方法包括将固体Li-Cd合金阳极定位在含有重金属的熔盐中，定位含Cd 阴极或固体阴极，位于熔融盐中的捕获坩埚上方，以回收重金属值，在阳极和阴极之间建立电压降，以在阴极处沉积材料以减少盐中重金属的浓度，并控制 通过控制阳极和阴极之间的电流在阴极处的沉积速率。

公开(公告)号：US3933520A

公开(公告)日：1976-01-20

申请号：US565021

申请日：1975-04-03

Applicant: Eddie C. Gay ,  Fredric J. Martino

Inventor： Eddie C. Gay ,  Fredric J. Martino

IPC: H01M4/80 ,  H01M4/02 ,  H01M10/39 ,  H01M35/00 ,  H01M43/00

CPC classification number: H01M4/02 ,  H01M10/39

Abstract: Particulate electrode reactants, for instance transition metal sulfides for the positive electrodes and lithium alloys for the negative electrodes, are vibratorily compacted into porous, electrically conductive structures. Structures of high porosity support sufficient reactant material to provide high cell capacity per unit weight while serving as an electrical current collector to improve the utilization of reactant materials. Pore sizes of the structure and particle sizes of the reactant material are selected to permit uniform vibratory loading of the substrate without settling of the reactant material during cycling.

Abstract translation: 颗粒电极反应物，例如用于正极的过渡金属硫化物和用于负极的锂合金，被振动压实成多孔导电结构。 高孔隙率的结构支持足够的反应物材料，以提供每单位重量的高电池容量，同时用作集电器以改善反应物料的利用。 选择反应物材料的结构和颗粒尺寸的孔径，以允许衬底的均匀振动加载，而不会在循环期间沉淀反应物材料。