Phosphate-Based Dechlorination of Electrorefiner Salt Waste using a Phosphoric Acid Precursor

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Waste Management

Background:

• Electrochemical processing of spent nuclear fuel generates radioactive salt waste.
• Managing high-level waste requires efficient methods for chlorine removal from salt.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of phosphoric acid-based dechlorination of simple salt.
• To advance the Technological Readiness Level of this dechlorination method for nuclear waste streams.

Main Methods:

• Dechlorination of a simple salt using a phosphoric acid phosphate precursor.
• Evaluation of dechlorination in both air and argon atmospheres.
• Characterization of the resulting glassy dechlorinated product.

Main Results:

• Successful dechlorination of the salt was achieved, producing a glassy material.
• The process was effective in both air and argon environments, indicating robustness.

Conclusions:

• Phosphoric acid-based dechlorination is a viable method for managing radioactive salt waste.
• The resulting glassy product shows potential for immobilizing waste streams, paving the way for iron phosphate waste forms.