British Nuclear Fuels Plc

Mark Fields

Kenneth Richard Seddon

David W Rooney

Graham Victor Hutson

William Robert Pitner

Robert Charles Thied

Gerard Sean McGrady

Andrew Philip Jeapes

Charles Mackintosh Gordon

A method of removing from a metal salt ionic species contained therein involves contacting the metal salt with an ionic liquid to dissolve the metal salt, the ionic species or both. At least in the case where both the metal salt and the ionic species are dissolved, the resultant ionic liquid composition is treated to separate the ionic species therefrom and subsequently processed to recover the metal salt.

Treatment of molten salt reprocessing wastes

A method of dissolving in an ionic liquid a metal in an initial oxidation state below its maximum oxidation state, characterized in that the ionic liquid reacts with the metal and oxidizes it to a higher oxidation state. The initial metal may be in the form of a compound thereof and may be irradiated nuclear fuel comprising UO and/or PuO as well as fission products. The ionic liquid typically is nitrate-based, for example a pyridinium or substituted imidazolium nitrate, and contains a Bronstead or Franklin acid to increase the oxidizing power of the nitrate. Suitable acids are HNO , H SO and &lsqb;NO &rsqb;. Imidazolium nitrates and certain pyridinium nitrates form one aspect of the invention.

Ionic liquids as solvents

Uranium hexafluoride purification

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Askam-in-Furness, United Kingdom

Mark Fields