In pyroprocessing, the residual salts (LiCl containing Li and Li2O) in the metallic fuel produced by the oxide reduction (OR) process are removed by salt distillation and fed into electrorefining. This study undertook an investigation into the potential viability of employing a separate LiCl salt rinsing process as an innovative alternative to conventional salt distillation techniques. The primary objective of this novel approach was to mitigate the presence of Li and Li2O within the residual OR salt of metallic fuel, subsequently facilitating its suitability for electrorefining processes. The process of rinsing the metallic fuel involved immersing it in a LiCl salt environment at a temperature of 650°C. During this immersion process, the residual OR salt contained within the fuel underwent dissolution, thereby reducing the concentrations of Li2O and Li generated during the OR process. Furthermore, the Li and Li2O dissolved within the LiCl salt were effectively consumed through chemical reactions with ZrO2 particles present within the salt. Importantly, even after the metallic fuel had been subjected to rinsing in a conventional LiCl salt solution, the concentration of Li and Li2O within the salt remained consistent with its initial levels, due to the utilization of ZrO2. Moreover, it was observed that the Li- Li2O content within the metallic fuel was significantly diluted as a result of the rinsing process.

• Eun-Young Choi(Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), University of Science and Technology (UST)) Corresponding author
• Seungwoo Paek(Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI))
• Min Ku Jeon(Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI))
• Sung-Wook Kim(Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI))
• Jae-Su Ryu(Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI))