Electrochemical reduction of porous 17 kg uranium oxide pellets by selection of an optimal cathode/anode surface area ratio

Highlights: → The effect of electrode surface area on the electrochemical reduction. → A low cathode/anode surface area ratio leads to an increase in current density. → 17 kg Uranium oxide pellets was successfully reduced. → An optimal electrode surface area reduces the cost and improves the efficiency. - Abstract: This study examines how the cathode/anode surface area ratio affects the electrochemical reduction of uranium oxide in a molten Li2O-LiCl electrolyte. A bench-scale test showed that a low cathode/anode surface area ratio is helpful for efficiently attaining a high current density and producing metallic uranium from uranium oxide in an Li2O-LiCl electrolyte. A 17 kg uranium oxide electrolysis cell was set up with a cathode/anode surface area ratio of 2.6, and uranium oxide was successfully reduced to metallic uranium.