Continuous electrolytic refining device for metal uranium

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a continuous electrolytic refining device for metal uranium, the device comprising a cathode section fixed to the lower side of the heat radiation plate, and having a plurality of graphite cathodes; an anode section encompassing the cathode section to face the cathode section, rotatably fixed to the lower side of the heat radiation plate, and receiving the used nuclear fuel; an electrolytic cell receiving the cathode section and the anode section and filled with electrolytes so as to sink the cathode section and the anode section; an uranium collecting section collecting metal uranium deposited on and detached from the graphite cathode in the lower side of the cathode section inside the electrolytic cell and withdrawing the collected metal uranium to the outside of the electrolytic cell; and a transition metal collecting section coupled with the lower side of the electrolytic cell to withdraw the transition metal particles released from the anode section and collected in the lower side of the electrolytic cell, in order to collect high pure uranium deposits and metal transition elements created in an electrolysis process without stopping an electrolysis process, not including a scrapping process.

1 . A continuous electrolytic refining device of metal uranium, comprising:
 a cathode section fixed to the lower side of a heat radiation plate and having a plurality of graphite cathodes;   an anode section encompassing the cathode section to face the cathode section, rotatably fixed to the lower side of the heat radiation plate, and receiving the used nuclear fuel;   an electrolytic cell accommodating the cathode section and the anode section inside, and filled with electrolytes so as to sink the cathode section and the anode section;   an uranium collecting section collecting metal uranium deposited on and detached from the graphite cathode in the lower side of the cathode section inside the electrolytic cell and withdrawing the collected metal uranium to the outside of the electrolytic cell; and   a transition metal collecting section coupled with the lower side of the electrolytic cell to withdraw the transition metal particles released from the anode section and collected in the lower side of the electrolytic cell.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode section further comprises a screw-type agitator arranged in the center of the graphite cathodes. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the anode section has a cylindrical shape encompassing the circumference of the cathode section and comprises a cylindrical basket receiving a nuclear fuel between an outer circumferential plate and an inner circumferential plate. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein a plurality of outlets are formed on the outer circumferential plate and an inner circumferential plate, and
 wherein the outlet is extendedly formed in the vertical direction and in parallel along the circumference.   
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the outlet is formed slantingly to a central line of a circle on a horizontal cross-section of the cylindrical basket. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the outlet is formed slantingly at 45° with the central line of a circle on a horizontal cross-section of the cylindrical basket. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the inner circumference plate is formed in a mesh shape in the range of 100 to 325 mesh. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the cylindrical basket is formed of the combinations of a plurality of circular arc-shaped baskets separated individually along the circumference. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the uranium collecting section comprises a collecting basin provided in the lower side of the cathode section inside the electrolytic cell; and
 the first flexible screw conveyor coupled to the collecting basin through the electrolytic cell to withdraw the uranium collected in the collecting basin.   
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein cadmium pool with the predetermined level is provided in the collecting basin and the transfer pipe of the first flexible screw conveyor. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the first flexible screw conveyor is provided with the first level sensor for detecting the level of the cadmium pool in the transfer tube thereof. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the transition metal collecting section comprises a second flexible screw conveyor coupled to the lower side of the electrolytic cell to withdraw the collected different transition element. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the cadmium pool with the predetermined level is formed in the electrolytic cell and the transfer tube of the second flexible screw conveyor. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein a second level sensor for detecting the level of the cadmium pool is provided in the transfer tube of the second flexible screw conveyor.