Continuous electrorefining device for recovering metal uranium

Abstract

Disclosed is a continuous electrorefining device for recovering metal uranium. The electrorefining device comprises an electrolytic cell 10 having an internal accommodating space filled with electrolyte; a cathode unit 20 including a top plate 22 , connecting rods 21 whose top ends are joined to the top plate 22 , and cathode electrodes 24 whose top end is joined to lower plates; an anode unit 40 which is placed in a cylinder shape surrounding the cathode electrodes 24 ; a uranium recovery unit 50 for drawing out the uranium metal by a first drawing-out means; and a transition metal recovery unit 60 for drawing out the metal particles by a second drawing-out means. The cathode unit 20 further comprises an insulating and vibration absorbing member that is interposed between the top plate 22 and the cover plate 12 ; and a vibration means which is mounted on the top plate 22 to transmit vibration and impact force to the cathode electrode 24 through the connecting rods 21.

1 . A continuous electrorefining device for recovering metal uranium comprising:
 an electrolytic cell including an internal housing space which is filled with electrolyte;   a cathode unit in which cathode electrodes are fixed below the radiation fin in said electrolytic cell by connecting rods that pass through the central portion of a cover plate covering said electrolytic cell;   an anode unit including an internal housing space for housing spent nuclear fuel therein, wherein the anode unit is made in a cylinder shape so as to surround and face said cathode electrodes, and is rotatably installed on the edge of said cover plate;   an uranium recovery unit for drawing out of the electrolytic cell the uranium metal scraped and collected from said cathode electrode by a first drawing-out means connected to the bottom of the uranium recovery cell provided below said cathode electrode; and   a transition metal recovery unit form drawing out the transition metal particles collected in the lower portion of said electrolytic cell by a second drawing-out means connected to the bottom of said electrolytic cell,   wherein said cathode unit further comprises an insulating and vibration absorbing member for scraping and fixing the top plate fixed at the top end of said connecting rods on said cover plate in such a way that insulation and vibration absorbing are possible; and   a vibration means which is provided on said top plate to transmit exciting force to said cathode electrode through said connecting rods.   
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said insulating and vibration absorbing member is a vibration absorbing rubber plate. 
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said insulating and vibration absorbing member consists of ceramic plates that are respectively in contact with said cover plate isolated at a predetermined interval and said top plate; and
 a coil spring interposed between said ceramic plates.   
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said vibration means is an electric hammer. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said cathode electrode is made of graphite material. 
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said cathode electrode is an iron-based cathode including stainless steel material. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a screw-type agitator which passes through said cover plate and is fixed rotatably on the center of said cathode electrodes. 
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first drawing-out means and said second drawing-out means are a first screw conveyor and a second screw conveyor, respectively.