An experimental investigation of uranium redox reactions in an electrolytic cell with a cation exchange membrane

This paper investigates the simultaneous reduction and oxidation reactions of uranium in hydrochloric acid media. The redox reactions were carried out in a cell fitted with a cation exchange membrane and hexavalent uranium was reduced to the tetravalent state in the cathode chamber. The reverse reaction was carried out in the anode side of the cell. The reaction rate was found to be independent of the uranium concentration and the extent of reaction was linear with time. There is evidence of uranium flux across the membrane. (author)