Influence of electrolyte on the zirconium electrolysis process for nuclear power engineering

• Дата: 2020
• Автори: Mukhachev, A.P., Nefedov, V.G., Kharytonova, О.А.
• Формат: Стаття
• Мова: English
• Опубліковано: Національний науковий центр «Харківський фізико-технічний інститут» НАН України 2020
• Назва видання: Вопросы атомной науки и техники
• Теми: Thermal and fast reactor materials
• Онлайн доступ: http://dspace.nbuv.gov.ua/handle/123456789/194413
• Назва журналу: Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
• Цитувати: Influence of electrolyte on the zirconium electrolysis process for nuclear power engineering / A.P. Mukhachev, V.G. Nefedov, О.А. Kharytonova // Problems of atomic science and tecnology. — 2020. — № 4. — С. 40-45. — Бібліогр.: 6 назв. — англ.

The work presents the results of a study of the cathode and anode processes of zirconium electrolysis from molten electrolytes K₂ZrF₆–KCl–KF–KI and ZrF₄–KCl–KF. It is shown that the introduction of iodine compounds into the electrolyte prevents the discharge of potassium chloride, reduces the release of chlorine on the anode, the consumption of electricity, reagents and increases the current efficiency and process productivity. The replacement of K₂ZrF₆ obtained by fractional crystallization on ZrF₄ salt with a hafnium content of less than 0.01% obtained after the extraction process reduces the consumption of Zr salt, eliminates the accumulation of KF in the electrolyte, reduces the consumption of hydrofluoric acid and potassium carbonate, and increases the concentration of zirconium in the electrolyte, increases current efficiency and improves powder quality to ASTM hafnium requirements.