Reoxidation of uranium in electrolytically reduced simulated oxide fuel during residual salt distillation

We report that residual salt removal by high-temperature distillation causes partial reoxidation of uranium metal to uranium oxide in electrolytically reduced simulated oxide fuel. Specifically, the content of uranium metal in the above product decreases with increasing distillation temperatures, which can be attributed to reoxidation by Li₂O contained in residual salt (LiCl). Additionally, we estimate the fractions of Li₂O reacted with uranium metal under these conditions, showing that they decrease with decreasing temperature, and calculate some thermodynamic parameters of the above reoxidation. (author)