Investigation into the Processing Parameters of Phosphate-based Dechlorination of Electrorefiner Salt Waste
Electrochemical processing of used nuclear fuel in molten chloride salts generates complex radioactive salt waste. Phosphate-based dechlorination is a crucial step in waste processing for volume reduction. The technique for recycling chlorine can be applied to waste from our current fleet or reactors, as well as advanced reactors in which pilot-scale facilities are currently being evaluated. In this study, a procedure was developed for the dechlorination of an electrorefiner salt waste simulant called ERV3 salt based on the results of dechlorination with a simple salt mixture. The dechlorination of the simple salt mixture was evaluated using different phosphate precursors and realistic atmospheres. The optimal conditions for simple salt dechlorination were applied to the ERV3 salt. This method allowed for the down selection of processes, ultimately revealing that the ERV3 salt can be effectively dechlorinated at the laboratory scale in an air environment at 600˚C with phosphoric acid as the phosphate precursor. Our findings represent a significant step toward advancing the Technology Readiness Level of phosphate-based dechlorination methods and develops a strategy for future developments in dechlorination research.
dechlorination, electrochemical processing, electrorefiner, nuclear, seperation, waste
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