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.

Pretreatment system of desalination process using seawater reverse osmosis(SWRO) membrane is the most critical step in order to prevent membrane fouling. One of the methods is coagulation-UF membrane process. Coagulation-UF membrane systems have been shown to be very efficient in removing turbidity and non-soluble and colloidal organics contained in the source water for SWRO pretreatment. Ferric salt coagulants are commonly applied in coagulation-UF process for pretreatment of SWRO process. But aluminum salts have not been applied in coagulation-UF pretreatment of SWRO process due to the SWRO membrane fouling by residual aluminum. This study was carried out to see the effect of residual matal salt on SWRO membrane followed by coagulation-UF pretreatment process. Experimental results showed that increased residual aluminum salts by coagulation-UF pretreatment process by using alum lead to the decreased SWRO membrane salt rejection and flux. As the salt rejection and flux of SWRO membrane decreased, the concentration of silica and residual aluminum decreased. However, when adjusting coagulation pH for coagulation-UF pretreatment process, the residual aluminum salt concentration was decreased and SWRO membrane flux was increased.