Method For Controlling Aluminum Dissolution

摘要

A process for controlling the dissolution of a metal in an acid bath is described. The metal may comprise aluminum and the acid bath may contain a metal catalyst that causes the metal to dissolve. In order to control the rate of dissolution, the metal can be contacted with a cathodic member. In one embodiment, the process can be completely stopped even without removing the metal from the acid bath. The cathodic member provides anodic protection to the metal. In one embodiment, the cathodic member is made from a nickel-chromium-based alloy.

主权项

1. A process for dissolving aluminum during the recovery of a nuclear fuel comprising:
contacting a material containing aluminum and a nuclear fuel with a dissolution solution comprising an acid and a metal catalyst, the acid and the metal catalyst dissolving the aluminum; and contacting the aluminum with a cathodic member, the cathodic member comprising a material capable of forming a galvanic couple with aluminum, the cathodic member contacting a sufficient amount of surface area of the aluminum so as to decrease the dissolution rate of aluminum in the dissolution solution.