Preparation method of uranium metal and apparatus thereused

摘要

Disclosed herein is a method of preparing uranium metal by electrorefining uranium metal, comprising: applying a predetermined current to an anode electrode included in an anode basket receiving fuel segments made of uranium metal and a cathode electrode of carbon material; electrodepositing uranium on the cathode electrode in accordance with the reaction initiated by the applied current; and collecting the electrodeposited uranium by self-weight. An apparatus for electrorefining uranium metal used in the method according to the present invention, comprises: an anode basket (6) receiving fuel segments made of uranium metal and comprising an anode electrode; and a reactor including a cathode electrode (5) made of carbon material and a uranium collector (10) therein. According to the method of the present invention having the above mentioned constitution and the apparatus thereof, it is possible to separate only pure uranium metal with a high capability from the spent metal nuclear fuels conveniently and economically.