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Development of an anode structure consisting of graphite tubes and a SiC shroud for the electrowinning process in molten salt

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Abstract

In a molten chloride salt-based electrolysis, chloride evolution at an anode needs to be considered in terms of potential fluctuation, capture, and corrosion problems. Here, we demonstrate an anode structure consisting of graphite tubes and a SiC shroud to be applied to the electrowinning process. A large surface area as well as high corrosion resistivity was achieved through the use of inert graphite tubes. The Cl2 (g) capture was enhanced by the employment of a porous SiC shroud. It also allows an efficient contact of the electrode surface to the LiCl–KCl eutectic melt for an anodic evolution. No significant effects of the use of a SiC shroud on the anode overpotential and cell potential were found during the U deposition test.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the National Mid- and Long-Term Atomic Energy R&D Program supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Korea.

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Correspondence to Gha-Young Kim or Seungwoo Paek.

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Kim, TJ., Kim, GY., Yoon, D. et al. Development of an anode structure consisting of graphite tubes and a SiC shroud for the electrowinning process in molten salt. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 295, 1855–1859 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-2103-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-2103-5

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