ACTINIDE PRODUCTION

摘要

The invention provides a process for reducing to metallic form a metal oxide present in spent nuclear fuel, the process comprising cathodically electrolysing the actinide oxide in the presence of a molten salt electrolyte, the potential of the cathode being controlled so as to favour oxygen ionisation over deposition of the metal from the cations present in the molten salt. The invention allows for the reduction of the metal oxide to a metallic form by the use of a single electrochemical process, with oxygen being produced as the only by-product.