Electrorefining of americium

Abstract

Described is a process for the separation of americium metal from spent fuel or chlorinated high level waste of fuel reprocessing by using a liquid electrode whereby americium will be obtained in high yields.

1 . A process for the partition of americium metal from rare earth fission products by electrorefining characterised in that 
 the formed americium metal in a liquid metal electrode will be reduced by the exchange by the liquid metal electrode and thereafter recovering the americium metal from the alloy is recovered.    
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1  characterised in that 
 the exchange of the liquid metal electrode is carried out in a continuous or discontinuous manner.  
 
     
     
         3 . The process according to claims  1  or  2  characterised in that 
 the liquid metal electrode is a Cd or a Bi electrode.  
 
     
     
         3 . The process according to one of  claims 1  to  3  characterised in that 
 the liquid metal electrode is recycled after the separation of the americium metal.  
 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for carrying out the process according to one of  claims 1  to  4  comprising a double glove-box, an argon purification unit, a heating well fitted into the bottom of the inner glove-box, an outer box for the preparation of the basic substances and a lead shielding.