Electrode module suitable for molten salt electrolytic refining equipment and molten salt electrolytic refining equipment suitable for hot chamber

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to the technical field of electrolytic production, recovery or metal refining through a molten liquid electrolysis method, in particular to an electrode module suitable for molten salt electrolytic refining equipment and the molten salt electrolytic refining equipment suitable for a hot cell. The base is used for providing an attachment space for electrolytes; the cathode connecting piece is fixedly connected with the cathode and is arranged to be conductive; the anode assembly is arranged outside the cathode connecting piece and wraps the surface of the cathode connecting piece so as to isolate the cathode connecting piece. According to the electrode module, the purpose of integrating the cathode assembly and the anode assembly together can be achieved, the space occupation of the electrode module in molten salt electrolytic refining equipment is reduced, the application requirements of large-scale spent fuel or large-scale application of the electrode module and the like are met, the cathode is arranged at the end of the anode assembly, and the service life of the electrode module is prolonged. And an attachment space is provided for an electrolytic product generated by the electrolytic reaction, and the electrolytic product is collected during the electrolytic reaction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by molten liquid electrolysis, and specifically to an electrode module suitable for molten salt electrolytic refining equipment and molten salt electrolytic refining equipment suitable for a hot chamber. Background Art

[0002] The statements herein merely provide background information related to the present application and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] Spent fuel refers to nuclear fuel that has been used in a reactor for a period of time and contains nuclides that can be recycled. This fuel is usually recycled and processed.

[0004] Currently, molten salt electrorefining is a common method for treating spent fuel and recycling it. This method primarily involves dissolving radionuclides in the spent fuel in the molten salt through an electrolytic reaction, which then precipitates out from the cathode. The precipitates are then recovered. However, the electrode modules used in current industrial molten salt electrorefining equipment are insufficient for this type of spent fuel treatment. Products on the cathode often fail to adhere effectively and fall to the bottom, necessitating modification of the electrode modules. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A brief overview of the present application is provided below to provide a basic understanding of certain aspects of the present application. It should be understood that this overview is not an exhaustive overview of the present application. It is not intended to identify key or important portions of the present application, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present application. Its purpose is simply to present certain concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that will be discussed later.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an electrode module suitable for a molten salt electrolytic refining device, which is used to electrolyze spent fuel, and includes a cathode, a cathode connector, and an anode assembly, wherein the cathode is configured to be rotatable and located at the end of the anode assembly, with a first predetermined interval between the cathode and the anode assembly, for providing an attachment space for electrolysis products generated by the electrolysis reaction while conducting electricity; the cathode connector is fixedly connected to the cathode and configured to be conductive so that the cathode is conductive; the anode assembly is used to accommodate the spent fuel, and the anode assembly is connected to the cathode connector and is arranged on the outside of the cathode connector and covers the surface of the cathode connector to isolate the cathode connector; the anode assembly is also configured to enable the spent fuel to contact the molten salt during the electrolysis process.

[0007] The embodiments of the present application are advantageous in achieving the purpose of integrating the cathode and anode assemblies by fixedly connecting the cathode to the cathode connector and then arranging the anode assembly on the outside of the cathode connector and covering the surface of the cathode connector, thereby reducing the space occupied by the electrode module in the molten salt electrolysis refining equipment and meeting the application requirements of large quantities of spent fuel or large-scale application of electrode modules. At the same time, the cathode is arranged at the end of the anode assembly with a first predetermined interval between the cathode and the anode assembly, which helps to provide attachment space for the electrolysis products generated by the electrolysis reaction and collect the electrolysis products during the electrolysis reaction.

[0008] On the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a molten salt electrolytic refining equipment suitable for a hot chamber, which includes: an electrolytic heating device, the electrolytic heating device is used to accommodate molten salt, the molten salt is used to provide a medium for the electrolysis of spent fuel, and the molten salt is melted before electrolysis; an electrode module and an electrode transfer device of an embodiment of the present application, the electrode module is detachably fixed to the electrode transfer device, the electrode module is used to electrolyze the spent fuel to obtain electrolysis products, the electrode transfer device is used to transfer the electrode module to the electrolytic heating device, and after the electrolysis is completed, the electrode module is transferred from the electrolytic heating device; an electrolysis product scraping and collecting device, the electrode transfer device transfers the electrode module to the electrolysis product scraping and collecting device, the electrolysis product scraping and collecting device is used to scrape the electrolysis products on the cathode, collect scrapings, and transfer the scrapings to the next process; a conductive device, when the electrode module is arranged in the electrolytic heating device, is configured to be connected to the conductive device to energize the electrode module.

[0009] These and other advantages of the present application will become more apparent through the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] To further illustrate the above and other advantages and features of the present application, the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated into and form a part of this specification. Elements with the same function and structure are denoted by the same reference numerals. It should be understood that these drawings depict only typical examples of the present application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present application.

[0011] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the electrode module according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0012] It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but are merely shown in a schematic manner that does not affect the reader's understanding.

[0013] Description of reference numerals:

[0014] 11. cathode; 12. cathode connector; 121. connection body; 122. connection mating portion;

[0015] 20. Anode assembly; 21. First anode basket; 211. Accommodating support member; 2111. Accommodating portion; 2112. Supporting and fitting portion; 2113. Conductive connecting portion; 212. Anode connector; 22. Second anode basket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of clarity and conciseness, not all features of actual implementations are described in the specification. However, it should be understood that many implementation-specific decisions must be made in the process of developing any such actual implementation in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as meeting those constraints related to the system and business, and these constraints may vary depending on the implementation. In addition, it should be understood that although the development work may be very complex and time-consuming, it is a routine task for those skilled in the art who benefit from the content of this application.

[0017] It is also necessary to explain here that, in order to avoid obscuring the present application due to unnecessary details, the accompanying drawings only show the device structure and / or processing steps that are closely related to the solution according to the present application, while other details that are not closely related to the present application are omitted.

[0018] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this application should have the common meanings understood by persons having ordinary skills in the field to which this application belongs.

[0019] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, “multiple” means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0020] In the related art, the structural design of the electrode module in the molten salt electrolytic refining equipment is relatively complex, occupies a large space in the molten salt electrolytic refining equipment, and cannot be used modularly. For some application scenarios that require processing large amounts of spent fuel or require large-scale application of electrode modules, the current electrode modules are not applicable.

[0021] In response to the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present application provides an electrode module suitable for a molten salt electrolytic refining device, which is used to electrolyze spent fuel. Figure 1 is a structural diagram of an electrode module according to an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 1 As shown, the electrode module includes a cathode 11 , a cathode connector 12 and an anode assembly 20 .

[0022] The cathode 11 is rotatably disposed and located at an end of the anode assembly 20 with a first predetermined interval therebetween, for providing an attachment space for electrolysis products generated by the electrolysis reaction while conducting electricity.

[0023] The cathode connector 12 is fixedly connected to the cathode 11 and is configured to be conductive so as to make the cathode 11 conductive.

[0024] The anode assembly 20 is used to accommodate spent fuel, and the anode assembly 20 is connected to the cathode connector 12 and is arranged outside the cathode connector 12 and covers the surface of the cathode connector 12 to isolate the cathode connector 12; the anode assembly 20 is also configured to enable the spent fuel to contact the molten salt during the electrolysis process.

[0025] The embodiment of the present application is to fix the cathode 11 to the cathode connector 12, and then arrange the anode assembly 20 outside the cathode connector 12 and cover the surface of the cathode connector 12, which is conducive to achieving the purpose of integrating the cathode 11 and the anode assembly 20, reducing the space occupied by the electrode module in the molten salt electrolysis refining equipment, and meeting the application requirements of large-scale spent fuel or large-scale application of electrode modules. At the same time, the cathode 11 is arranged at the end of the anode assembly 20 and has a first predetermined interval between it and the anode assembly 20, which helps to provide attachment space for the electrolysis products generated by the electrolysis reaction and collect the electrolysis products during the electrolysis reaction.

[0026] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 As shown, the cathode 11 is a plate structure, which is convenient for providing an attachment space for electrolysis products.

[0027] In some embodiments, an insulating coating may be provided on the outer surface of the cathode 11 except for the outer surface close to the anode assembly 20 to prevent the adhesion of electrolysis products, so that the generated electrolysis products adhere to the outer surface of the cathode 11 close to the anode assembly 20.

[0028] In some embodiments, the anode assembly 20 includes a first anode basket 21 and a second anode basket 22, wherein the first anode basket 21 and the second anode basket 22 are fixedly connected, and the first anode basket 21 forms a cathode accommodating chamber for accommodating the cathode connector 12; the second anode basket 22 is arranged outside the first anode basket 21 for accommodating spent fuel; wherein the cathode connector 12 extends in the same direction as the first anode basket 21 and is partially located outside the cathode accommodating chamber, and the portion of the cathode connector 12 located outside the cathode accommodating chamber is connected to a conductive device of the molten salt electrolytic refining equipment to make the cathode 11 conductive.

[0029] In the embodiment of the present application, the anode assembly 20 is configured to include a first anode basket 21 and a second anode basket 22. The cathode housing cavity formed by the first anode basket 21 is used to accommodate the cathode connector 12, and the second anode basket 22 is used to accommodate the spent fuel. In this way, after the electrolysis reaction is completed, the anode mud can be discharged by separating the first anode basket 21 and the second anode basket 22, which is relatively simple to operate.

[0030] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 As shown, a plurality of holes are formed in the second anode basket 22 to allow the spent fuel to contact the molten salt in the electrolysis process.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first anode basket 21 includes a receiving support 211 and an anode connector 212, wherein the receiving support 211 and the anode connector 212 together form a cathode receiving chamber. The receiving support 211 extends along the extension direction of the second anode basket 22 and is partially located inside the second anode basket 22 and another portion is located outside the second anode basket 22. The receiving support 211 is used to receive and support the cathode connector 12 and is also used to connect to a conductive device to make the anode assembly 20 conductive as a whole. One end of the receiving support 211 is fixedly connected to the second anode basket 22 via the anode connector 212, and the anode connector 212 is enclosed and disposed at the end of the receiving support 211 located on the same side as the second anode basket 22.

[0032] In the embodiment of the present application, the accommodating support member 211 is arranged to extend along the extension direction of the second anode basket 22 and is partially located inside the second anode basket 22. The anode connector 212 is then enclosed and arranged at the end of the accommodating support member 211 and the second anode basket 22 on the same side. This facilitates the discharge of anode mud by pressing down the first anode basket 21 as a whole.

[0033] In some embodiments, a second predetermined interval is defined between the accommodation support 211 and the second anode basket 22 for accommodating the spent fuel to ensure that the spent fuel can contact the molten salt.

[0034] In some embodiments, the accommodating support member 211 includes a accommodating portion 2111, a supporting matching portion 2112 and a conductive connecting portion 2113, wherein one end of the accommodating portion 2111 is fixedly connected to the supporting matching portion 2112, and the other end of the accommodating portion 2111 is fixedly connected to the anode connector 212, for accommodating the cathode connector 12; the supporting matching portion 2112 is configured to match the cathode connector 12 to support the cathode connector 12; the conductive connecting portion 2113 is fixedly connected to the supporting matching portion 2112, for connecting a conductive device to make the supporting matching portion 2112, the accommodating portion 2111 and the anode connector 212 conductive.

[0035] In the embodiment of the present application, the cathode connector 12 is supported by the cooperation between the supporting matching portion 2112 and the cathode connector 12 , thereby facilitating a stable fixation of the cathode 11 connected to the cathode connector 12 .

[0036] In some embodiments, the anode assembly 20 further includes an electrode connector, and the receiving portion 2111 is connected to the cathode connector 12 via the electrode connector. The electrode connector includes a bearing and an insulating ring.

[0037] In some embodiments, the cathode connector 12 includes a connecting body 121 and a connecting fitting portion 122, wherein the connecting body 121 is fixedly connected to the cathode 11, and the anode assembly 20 is arranged outside the connecting body 121; the connecting fitting portion 122 is fixedly connected to the connecting body 121, and is used to connect the connecting body 121 to a conductive device to make the cathode 11 conductive.

[0038] The embodiment of the present application sets the cathode connector 12 to a structure including a connecting body 121 and a connecting fitting portion 122, which is conducive to connecting with the conductive device through the connecting fitting portion 122, so that the connecting body 121 is energized, thereby achieving the purpose of enabling the cathode 11 connected to the connecting body 121 to be energized.

[0039] In some embodiments, the cathode connector 12 and the receiving support 211 are configured to be insulated from each other.

[0040] In some embodiments, the inner surface of the accommodating portion 2111 that accommodates the support member 211 and the supporting matching portion 2112 can be provided with an insulating layer, which is wrapped around the outer surface of the cathode connector 12 to prevent the electrolysis products from being deposited on the outer surface of the cathode connector 12 and ensure that the electrolysis products are deposited on the cathode 11.

[0041] It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the inner surfaces of the accommodating portion 2111 and the supporting and mating portion 2112 of the accommodating support member 211 may be provided with an insulating layer to insulate the cathode connector 12 from the accommodating support member 211. Electrolysis products may be deposited on the cathode connector 12. The anode assembly 20 further includes a scraper disposed on the inner surface of the accommodating portion 2111 for scraping away the electrolysis products deposited on the cathode connector 12 during the rotation of the anode assembly 20. The cathode 11 can receive the material scraped from the cathode connector 12 while depositing the electrolysis products.

[0042] An embodiment of the present application also provides a molten salt electrolytic refining device suitable for a hot chamber, which includes an electrolytic heating device, an electrode module and an electrode transfer device of an embodiment of the present application, an electrolytic product scraping and collecting device, and a conductive device.

[0043] The electrolytic heating device is used to contain molten salt, which is used to provide a medium for the electrolysis of spent fuel and melt the molten salt before electrolysis.

[0044] The electrode module and electrode transfer device of the embodiment of the present application are detachably fixed to the electrode transfer device. The electrode module is used to electrolyze spent fuel to obtain electrolysis products. The electrode transfer device is used to transfer the electrode module to the electrolysis heating device and, after the electrolysis is completed, to transfer the electrode module away from the electrolysis heating device.

[0045] The electrolysis product scraping and collecting device, the electrode transporting device transports the electrode module to the electrolysis product scraping and collecting device, the electrolysis product scraping and collecting device is used to scrape the electrolysis product on the cathode 11, collect the scrapings, and transport the scrapings to the next process.

[0046] The conductive device is configured to be connected to the conductive device when the electrode module is arranged in the electrolytic heating device, so as to energize the electrode module.

[0047] The embodiments of the present application arrange the electrolysis heating device, the electrode module and the electrode transfer device, the electrolysis product scraping and collecting device, and the conductive device in the hot chamber, so that the entire electrolysis reaction can be operated in a low-water-oxygen sealed atmosphere, thereby avoiding the molten salt from absorbing moisture and avoiding the oxidation of the electrolytically precipitated products, thereby reducing the probability of problems occurring in the electrolysis process, so that the electrolysis reaction can be carried out continuously and meet the requirements for the treatment of spent fuel. At the same time, the electrode module that integrates the cathode 11 and the anode assembly 20 is used, which is conducive to reducing the space occupied by the electrode module in the molten salt electrolysis refining equipment to meet the application requirements of large quantities of spent fuel or large-scale application of electrode modules.

[0048] Regarding the embodiments of the present application, it should also be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features therein can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0049] The above description is only a specific implementation method of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. The protection scope of the present application shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An electrode module suitable for a molten salt electrolytic refining device for electrolyzing spent fuel, characterized in that: It includes a cathode, a cathode connector and an anode assembly, wherein: The cathode is rotatably disposed and located at an end of the anode assembly, with a first predetermined interval between the cathode and the anode assembly, for providing an attachment space for electrolysis products generated by the electrolysis reaction while conducting electricity; The cathode connector is fixedly connected to the cathode and is configured to be conductive so that the cathode is conductive; The anode assembly is used to accommodate the spent fuel, and the anode assembly is connected to the cathode connector and is disposed outside the cathode connector and covers the surface of the cathode connector to isolate the cathode connector; The anode assembly is also configured to allow the spent fuel to contact the molten salt during the electrolysis process.

2. The electrode module according to claim 1, characterized in that The anode assembly comprises a first anode basket and a second anode basket, wherein: The first anode basket is fixedly connected to the second anode basket, and the first anode basket forms a cathode accommodating cavity, and the cathode accommodating cavity is used to accommodate the cathode connector; The second anode basket is arranged outside the first anode basket and is used to accommodate the spent fuel; The cathode connector extends in the same direction as the first anode basket and is partially located outside the cathode accommodating cavity. The portion of the cathode connector located outside the cathode accommodating cavity is connected to the conductive device of the molten salt electrolytic refining equipment to make the cathode conductive.

3. The electrode module according to claim 2, characterized in that The first anode basket includes a receiving support and an anode connecting member, wherein: The accommodating support and the anode connector together form the cathode accommodating cavity, The accommodating support extends along the extension direction of the second anode basket and is partially located inside the second anode basket and the other part is located outside the second anode basket, and is used to accommodate and support the cathode connector and is also used to connect with the conductive device to make the anode assembly conductive as a whole; One end of the accommodating support is fixedly connected to the second anode basket via the anode connector, and the anode connector is closed and arranged at an end portion of the accommodating support and the second anode basket on the same side.

4. The electrode module according to claim 3, characterized in that A second predetermined interval is defined between the accommodation support and the second anode basket for accommodating the spent fuel.

5. The electrode module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The accommodating support member includes an accommodating portion, a supporting and matching portion, and a conductive connecting portion, wherein: One end of the accommodating portion is fixedly connected to the supporting and matching portion, and the other end of the accommodating portion is fixedly connected to the anode connector, for accommodating the cathode connector; The supporting and matching portion is configured to cooperate with the cathode connector to support the cathode connector; The conductive connecting portion is fixedly connected to the supporting and matching portion, and is used to connect the conductive device to make the supporting and matching portion, the accommodating portion and the anode connector conductive.

6. The electrode module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cathode connector includes a connecting body and a connecting fitting portion, wherein: The connecting body is fixedly connected to the cathode, and the anode assembly is arranged outside the connecting body; The connection fitting portion is fixedly connected to the connection body and is used to connect the connection body to the conductive device so that the cathode is conductive.

7. The electrode module according to claim 5, characterized in that A plurality of holes are formed in the second anode basket so as to allow the spent fuel to contact the molten salt in the electrolysis process.

8. The electrode module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The cathode connector and the accommodating support are arranged to be insulated from each other.

9. The electrode module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The cathode is a plate structure.

10. A molten salt electrolytic refining device suitable for a hot chamber, characterized in that: It includes: an electrolysis heating device, the electrolysis heating device being used to contain molten salt, the molten salt being used to provide a medium for electrolysis of spent fuel, the molten salt being melted before electrolysis; The electrode module and electrode transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electrode module is detachably fixed to the electrode transport device, the electrode module is used to electrolyze the spent fuel to obtain electrolysis products, and the electrode transport device is used to transport the electrode module into the electrolysis heating device and, after completion of electrolysis, transport the electrode module away from the electrolysis heating device; An electrolysis product scraping and collecting device, wherein the electrode transport device transports the electrode module to the electrolysis product scraping and collecting device, and the electrolysis product scraping and collecting device is used to scrape the electrolysis product on the cathode, collect the scrapings, and transport the scrapings to the next process; The conductive device is configured to be connected to the conductive device when the electrode module is arranged in the electrolytic heating device, so as to energize the electrode module.

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