Electrochemical behavior of zirconium in molten LiCl-KCl

In the pyrometallurgical processing for the metallic fast reactor fuels, a considerable amount of zirconium accumulates in the electro refiner. Electrochemical behavior of zirconium in molten LiCl-KCl eutectic mixture was studied for development of the zirconium recovery process. The standard potential of zirconium and the equilibrium constant of the disproportionation between Zr(2) and Zr(4) in a temperature range of 673 K-823 K were determined by electromotive force measurement. As a result of cyclic voltammetry and potentiostatic electrolysis, redox path of zirconium at various temperatures and concentrations was determined. Based on these data and findings, appropriate conditions for the electrochemical recovery of zirconium from the electro refiner were proposed. (author)