PLENTIFUL ENERGY

values of several of the constants used may change with higher accuracy
measurements in the future. There were uncertainties in various elements of the
experimental results, where uncertainties entered in the amount of product
remaining as dross in the cathode processor crucible in Run 1 and in the formation
of dendrites external to the cathode in Run 3. But the systematic tracing of the
experimental results displayed by the calculations, as summarized in the table
above, does strongly suggest that the equilibrium calculations predict surprisingly
well the results found in these very significant experiments.
We conclude that the important plutonium-uranium ratio in the product can be
predicted with useful precision by these rather simple concepts and the techniques
of the calculations based upon them. More, we conclude that they provide us with a
very adequate understanding of the important phenomena in IFR electrorefining.
References
1. W.H. Hannum, Ed., ―The Technology of the Integral Fast Reactor and its Associated
Fuel Cycle,‖ Progress in Nuclear Energy, 31, nos. 1/2, Special Issue, 1997.
2. J. P. Ackerman and T.R. Johnson, ―Partition of Actinides and Fission Products between
Metal and Molten Salt Phases: Theory, Measurement and Application to Pyroprocess
Development.‖ Actinides-93 International Conference, Santa Fe, New Mexico,
September 19-24, 1993.
3. J. P. Ackerman and T.R. Johnson, ―New High-Level Waste Management Technology
for IFR Pyroprocessing Wastes,‖ Global ‘93 International Conference on Future
Nuclear Systems, Emerging Fuel Cycles and Waste Disposal Options, Seattle,
Washington, September 12-17, 1993.
4. J. P. Ackerman, private communication. The authors are indebted to Dr. Ackerman first
for pointing out the effects of cathode saturation and his follow-on detailed discussions
with us of such effects.
5. L. Yang, et al, Physical Chemistry of Process Metallurgy, 2:925-943, G. R. St. Pierce,
Ed., Interscience Publishers, New York, 1961.
6. G. M. Campbell and J.A. Leary, ―Thermodynamic Properties of Plutonium Compounds
from EMF Measurements,‖ LA-3399, Los Alamos National Laboratory, March 1966.
7. D. Vaden, S. X. Li, B. R. Westphal, and K. B. Davies. ―Engineering-Scale Liquid
Cadmium Cathode Experiments,‖ Nuclear Technology, 162, May 2008.
8. D. Vaden, private communication. We are indebted to Dee Vaden for helping us with
our understanding of the experimental data, as well as for pointing out
some uncertainties in the experimental results not mentioned in Reference 7, above.
9. C. Pope, private communication. We are indebted to Chad Pope for his sustained
efforts to provide us the data for Run #4, done after the work published in Ref 7, above,
and for his efforts in obtaining the necessary approvals to release it.
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