Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC

Justin M Holland

John William Freiderich

David M Cecala

Benjamin D Green

Stephen R Bennett

Deandra J Peoples

Systems and methods for converting metal oxide to metal using metal carbide as an intermediate, include: reacting the metal oxide with carbon to produce the metal carbide, wherein the metal carbide is in a form of powder or pellets; and subjecting the metal carbide produced from the metal oxide and the carbon to electrolysis in an electrorefiner to produce and purify the metal.

Methods and systems for converting metal oxides to metal using metal carbide as an intermediate

A fluid level and conductivity sensor having a sensing probe with four electrodes disposed therein particularly suited for high temperature applications. A distal end of the second and third electrodes are positioned a distance from the sensing end that is greater than distal ends of the first and fourth electrodes. The sensor includes an electronics system having a signal relay system for receiving signals from each of the electrodes and switching between different measurement modes by determining a resistance between selected pairs of electrodes based on instructions from the microcontroller. The measurement modes include a conductivity measurement mode in which a resistance between the first and fourth electrodes is determined, and a fluid level measurement mode in which a resistance between the first and third electrodes is determined and compared to a resistance between the second and third electrodes.

Fluid level and conductivity sensor for high temperature applications

Systems and methods for producing metal chloride MClfrom metal Mwithout the use of HCl and/or Clgases, including: a bath vessel holding conductive fluid; an anode disposed in the conductive fluid, the anode including metal M; a cathode assembly disposed in the conductive fluid, the cathode assembly including a cathode vessel including porous and non-porous portions, the non-porous portion holding sacrificial metal chloride MClsubstantially separate from metal chloride MCl, wherein the cathode assembly includes a center lead disposed within the cathode vessel operable for delivering charge to sacrificial metal chloride MCl; and a power supply coupling the anode and the cathode assembly, the power supply polarized to produce current flow in a direction that causes anodic dissolution of metal Minto the conductive fluid and deposition of metal Mwithin the cathode vessel. The systems and methods apply equally to producing metal halide MX.

Methods and systems for producing a metal chloride or the like

Disclosed are electrochemical cells and methods for producing a halide of a non-alkali metal and for electrorefining the halide. The systems typically involve an electrochemical cell having a cathode structure configured for dissolving a hydrogen halide that forms the halide into a molten salt of the halogen and an alkali metal. Typically a direct current voltage is applied across the cathode and an anode that is fabricated with the non-alkali metal such that the halide of the non-alkali metal is formed adjacent the anode. Electrorefining cells and methods involve applying a direct current voltage across the anode where the halide of the non-alkali metal is formed and the cathode where the non-alkali metal is electro-deposited. In a representative embodiment the halogen is chlorine, the alkali metal is lithium and the non-alkali metal is uranium.

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Clinton, TN, United States of America

Justin M Holland