Strategic recycling of fission products in nuclear fuel cycle as for hydrogen production catalyst

The catalytic electrolytic extraction (CEE) method has been studied as a separation tool for rare metal fission products [RMFP - Ru, Rh, Pd*, Tc*, Se* and Te* (*LLFP)] in spent nuclear fuel. In an employed CEE process, Pd2+ cation itself would not only be easily deposited from various nitric acid solutions, but would also enhance the deposition of co-existing RuNO3+, ReO-4 and 99TcO-4 by acting as a catalyst (as Pdadatom). The quaternary, Pd-Ru-Rh-Re, deposit Pt or Ti electrode, fabricated by CEE, suggested the highest cathodic current corresponding to the hydrogen generation reaction in both alkaline solution and seawater. The advanced ORIENT cycle, where ion exchange chromatography using tertiary pyridine resin and the CEE is employed as a mainstay separation technology, will enhance separation and utilisation of actinide and fission products, and thus be expected to realize an ultimate reduction of radioactive wastes. (authors)