Fused salt electrolytic refining apparatus

Abstract

This application relates to the field of producing, recycling, or refining metals by electrolysis using molten liquid electrolysis, specifically to a feeding and discharging device for an anode assembly in a molten salt electrolytic refining equipment, used to remove residual material after the electrolysis of the anode material. The anode assembly includes an anode basket, an anode support portion for supporting the anode basket and movable downwards relative to the anode basket, and a lifting assembly disposed at the top of the anode basket. The feeding and discharging device includes: a receiving container for receiving residual material; a lifting portion for suspending the anode assembly directly above the receiving container and for moving the anode support portion downwards relative to the anode basket under pressure to a pushing position; and a pushing portion for pushing the residual material on the anode support portion into the receiving container when the anode support portion of the anode assembly moves to the pushing position. The feeding and discharging device provided by the embodiments of this application facilitates the removal of residual material after the electrolysis of the anode material contained in the anode assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of this application relate to the field of producing, recycling or refining metals by electrolysis of molten liquid, and specifically to a feeding and discharging device for an anode assembly suitable for molten salt electrolytic refining equipment. Background Technology

[0002] The statements herein are provided merely as background information in connection with this 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. Because it contains recyclable nuclides, spent fuel usually needs to be recovered and processed.

[0004] Currently, molten salt electrolytic refining is commonly used to recover spent fuel. This process involves placing spent fuel in an anode assembly, where an electrolytic reaction dissolves the nuclides on the fuel in molten salt, which are then deposited from the cathode. However, current industrial molten salt electrolytic refining equipment cannot meet the requirements for processing this type of spent fuel and needs modification. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A brief overview of this application is provided below to offer a basic understanding of certain aspects thereof. It should be understood that this overview is not an exhaustive summary of the application. It is not intended to identify key or essential parts of the application, nor is it intended to limit its scope. Its purpose is merely to present certain concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that follows.

[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, embodiments of this application provide a feeding and discharging device for an anode assembly in a molten salt electrolytic refining equipment, used to remove residual material after electrolysis of the anode material contained in the anode assembly. The anode assembly includes an anode basket and an anode support for supporting the anode basket. The anode support cooperates with the anode basket to form a receiving cavity for containing the anode material. The anode support is configured to move downwards relative to the anode basket. The anode assembly also includes a lifting assembly disposed at the top of the anode basket. The feeding and discharging device includes a receiving container, a lifting assembly, and a pushing assembly. The receiving container receives residual material; the lifting assembly cooperates with the lifting assembly to lift the anode assembly, suspending it directly above the receiving container, and allows the anode support to move downwards relative to the anode basket to a pushing position under pressure; the pushing assembly pushes the residual material on the anode support into the receiving container when the anode support of the anode assembly moves to the pushing position.

[0007] The feeding and discharging device provided in the embodiments of this application can lift the anode assembly through the lifting part so that the anode support part can move downward relative to the anode basket under pressure; then the residual material on the anode support part is pushed into the receiving container through the pushing part, thereby facilitating the removal of the residual material after electrolysis of the anode material contained in the anode assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Other objects and advantages of this application will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of this application.

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the feeding and discharging device and the anode assembly of the molten salt electrolytic refining equipment provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the anode assembly according to an embodiment of this application.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram with some structures omitted.

[0012] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0013] 40. Anode assembly; 41. Anode basket; 42. First support part; 420. Through hole; 43. Second support part; 44. Feeding part; 45. Mixing part; 46. Lifting assembly part;

[0014] 90. Feeding / Discharging Device; 91. Receiving Container; 92. Lifting Unit; 920. Slotting; 93. Pushing Unit; 931. Pushing Component; 9311. Body; 9312. Scraper; 932. Pushing Drive Component; 94. Conveying Unit; 95. Heating Unit; 96. Support Frame; 961. First Layer Frame; 962. Second Layer Frame; 963. Third Layer Frame; 964. Intermediate Layer Frame; 965. Column; 97. Insulated Connector; 98. Feeding Unit; 9801. Receiving Tank; 9802. Transport Tank.

[0015] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but are shown only in a schematic manner without affecting the reader's understanding. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity and brevity, 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 development of any such actual embodiment to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as complying with constraints related to the system and business, and these constraints may vary depending on the implementation. Furthermore, it should be understood that while development work can be very complex and time-consuming, such development work is merely a routine task for those skilled in the art who benefit from the content of this application.

[0017] It should also be noted that, in order to avoid obscuring this application with unnecessary details, only the equipment structure and / or processing steps closely related to the solution according to this application are shown in the accompanying drawings, while other details that are not closely related to this application are omitted.

[0018] In related technologies, the anode assembly of a molten salt electrolytic refining apparatus typically includes an anode basket and an anode support for supporting the anode basket. The anode support and the anode basket cooperate to form a receiving cavity for containing the anode material. The inventors of this application have discovered that after electrolytic refining, the anode material contained in the anode assembly forms a mud-like substance that deposits on the anode support. After cooling, the anode mud resembles a concrete fixation, making it inconvenient to remove.

[0019] To address the aforementioned problems, embodiments of this application provide a feeding and discharging device for an anode assembly in a molten salt electrolytic refining equipment, used to remove residual material after electrolysis of the anode material contained in the anode assembly. See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the assembled structure of the feeding and discharging device and the anode assembly of the molten salt electrolytic refining equipment provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an anode assembly according to an embodiment of this application. The anode assembly 40 may include an anode basket 41 and an anode support portion for supporting the anode basket 41. The anode support portion cooperates with the anode basket 41 to form a receiving cavity for containing anode material. The anode support portion is configured to be able to move downward relative to the anode basket 41. The anode assembly 40 also includes a lifting fitting portion 46 disposed on the top of the anode basket 41.

[0020] See Figure 1The feeding / discharging device 90 includes a receiving container 91, a lifting section 92, and a pushing section 93. The receiving container 91 is used to receive residual material; the lifting section 92 is used to cooperate with the lifting mating section 46 to lift the anode assembly 40 so that the anode assembly 40 is suspended directly above the receiving container 91, and to allow the anode support to move downward relative to the anode basket 41 to the pushing position under pressure; the pushing section 93 is used to push the residual material on the anode support of the anode assembly 40 into the receiving container 91 when the anode support of the anode assembly 40 moves to the pushing position.

[0021] The feeding and discharging device 90 provided in the embodiments of this application can lift the anode assembly 40 through the lifting part 92 so that the anode support part can move downward relative to the anode basket 41 under pressure; and then push the residual material on the anode support part into the receiving container 91 through the pushing part 93, thereby facilitating the removal of the residual material after electrolysis of the anode material contained in the anode assembly 40.

[0022] In some embodiments, the receiving container 91 is configured with an opening at the top to receive residual material. In some embodiments, the anode material may be spent fuel material.

[0023] In some embodiments, the feeding / discharging device 90 may further include a pressing section for providing pressure to the anode support, thereby enabling the anode support to move downward relative to the anode basket 41 to a pushing position under pressure. In some embodiments, the pressing section may include a retaining member and a moving member, the retaining member for holding the anode support, and the moving member for driving the retaining member and the anode support to move downward relative to the anode basket 41.

[0024] In some embodiments, the pusher 93 may include a pusher 931 and a pusher drive 932 for moving the pusher 931. When the anode support moves to the pusher position, the pusher 931 can move relative to the anode support under the drive of the pusher drive 932 to push the residual material on the anode support into the receiving container 91. In such an embodiment, the pusher 931 pushes the residual material on the anode support into the receiving container 91 under the drive of the pusher drive 932, which facilitates automated pushing and simplifies the removal of residual material.

[0025] In some embodiments, the pusher drive 932 can be a cylinder.

[0026] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 3 yes Figure 1The diagram omits some structural elements. In some embodiments, the anode support may include a first support 42 and a second support 43 fixedly connected to the bottom of the first support 42. The second support 43 is disposed at the bottom of the anode basket 41, supporting the anode basket 41 and closing the bottom of the anode basket 41. The first support 42 extends within the anode basket 41 along the extending direction of the anode basket 41 to above the anode basket 41. In such an embodiment, the first support 42 can be used to connect to a power source to supply power to the anode assembly 40; the second support 43 can close the bottom of the anode basket 41, and when the anode basket 41 is lifted by the lifting part 92, the first support 42 and the second support 43 can move downward relative to the anode basket 41 to separate from the anode basket 41.

[0027] The pusher 931 can move relative to the second support 43 under the drive of the pusher drive 932. In some embodiments, the pusher 931 forms a relief groove that cooperates with the first support 42, and the first support 42 can enter the relief groove when the pusher 931 moves relative to the second support 43 under the drive of the pusher drive 932. In such an embodiment, the above arrangement can avoid interference between the pusher 931 and the first support 42, so as to ensure that the pusher 931 can smoothly push the residual material on the second support 43 into the receiving container 91.

[0028] See Figure 3 In some embodiments, the first support portion 42 can be a hollow component, and the first support portion 42 is in fluid communication with the receiving cavity of the anode assembly and the outside of the anode assembly, so that molten salt can enter the receiving cavity of the anode assembly from the anode basket and flow out through the first support portion 42. This arrangement increases the contact area between the molten salt and the anode material, which is beneficial for the electrolytic reaction.

[0029] See Figure 3 In some embodiments, the first support portion 42 is formed with a plurality of through holes 420 to increase the contact area between the molten salt entering the first support portion 42 and the anode material in the anode basket 41.

[0030] See Figure 3 In some embodiments, the pusher 931 may include a body 9311 and two scrapers 9312 connected to the body 9311. The body 9311 forms a relief groove, and the two scrapers 9312 are respectively connected to the body 9311 on both sides of the relief groove. The two scrapers 9312 protrude downward to scrape off residual material on the second support portion 43. This arrangement is beneficial for scraping off all residual material on the second support portion 43.

[0031] See Figure 1 and Figure 3In some embodiments, the feeding / discharging device 90 may further include a conveying section 94, with a receiving container 91 disposed on the conveying section 94 for conveying the receiving container 91 directly below the lifting section 92 or conveying the receiving container 91 to a position away from directly below the lifting section 92. In such embodiments, conveying the receiving container 91 directly below the lifting section 92 via the conveying section 94 facilitates the receiving container 91 receiving residual material scraped off by the scraper 9312; conveying the receiving container 91 to a position away from directly below the lifting section 92 via the conveying section 94 facilitates the transport of the receiving container 91 to downstream equipment for processing.

[0032] The inventors of this application discovered that a small amount of molten salt remains in the residual material in the receiving cavity. After cooling, the molten salt will cause the residual material to stick to the anode basket 41, making it difficult to remove the residual material. Furthermore, the molten salt will also cause the anode support to stick to the anode basket 41, making it difficult to separate the anode support from the anode basket 41.

[0033] For the above issues, please refer to Figure 1 In some embodiments, the feeding / discharging device 90 may further include a heating unit 95 for heating the bottom of the anode basket 41. In such embodiments, heating the bottom of the anode basket 41 by the heating unit 95 facilitates the melting of the molten salt in the receiving cavity, allowing the residual material to separate from the anode basket 41 and fall into the anode support, and also facilitates the separation of the anode support from the anode basket 41.

[0034] See Figure 1 In some embodiments, the feeding / discharging device 90 may further include a support frame 96, with the hoisting part 92, the pushing part 93, and the heating part 95 disposed on the support frame 96. In such embodiments, by providing the support frame 96, the hoisting part 92, the pushing part 93, and the heating part 95 are formed as an integral structure.

[0035] In some embodiments, the conveying section 94 is also disposed on the support frame 96.

[0036] See Figure 1 In some embodiments, the support frame 96 includes, from bottom to top along the height direction, a first layer of frame 961, a second layer of frame 962, and a third layer of frame 963 spaced apart, and a plurality of columns 965 for connecting the first layer of frame 961, the second layer of frame 962, and the third layer of frame 963; wherein, the lifting part 92 is disposed on the third layer of frame 963, the heating part 95 is disposed on the second layer of frame 962, and the receiving container 91 is disposed on the first layer of frame 961. In such embodiments, the support frame 96 can ensure that when the lifting part 92 lifts the anode basket 41, the heating part 95 heats the bottom of the anode basket 41; and facilitates the separation of the anode support part from the anode basket 41, and also facilitates the receiving container 91 to receive fallen residual material.

[0037] In some embodiments, the conveying section 94 is also disposed on the first layer frame 961.

[0038] See Figure 1 In some embodiments, the support frame 96 may further include an intermediate layer frame 964, which is connected to two adjacent uprights 965 and extends in a direction away from the other uprights 965; the intermediate layer frame 964 is located between the first layer frame 961 and the second layer frame 962 in the height direction, and its horizontal projection profile does not coincide with the horizontal projection profiles of the first layer frame 961 and the second layer frame 962. A pusher part 93 is disposed on the intermediate layer frame 964. By including the intermediate layer frame 964 in the support frame 96, it is beneficial to ensure the pusher operation of the pusher part 93.

[0039] See Figure 1 In some embodiments, the lifting engagement portion 46 can be a flange; the lifting portion 92 is a plate forming a slot 920, and the anode assembly 40 can be translated toward the lifting portion 92 so that the flange can engage with the edge of the slot 920 to lift the anode assembly 40. In such embodiments, the above arrangement facilitates lifting the anode assembly 40 directly above the receiving container 91 by means of a mechanical moving device (e.g., a robot, a powered arm, or a moving module).

[0040] See Figure 1 In some embodiments, the feeding / discharging device 90 may also include a heat-insulating connector 97, through which the heating part 95 is connected to the support frame 96, thereby preventing the heat from the heating part 95 from being transferred to the entire support frame 96.

[0041] In some embodiments, the heat-insulating connector 97 may be disposed on the second frame 962, and the heating part 95 is supported by the heat-insulating connector 97. A through hole is formed in the middle of the heat-insulating connector 97 for the first support part 42 to pass through. In such an embodiment, by providing the heat-insulating connector 97 to support the heating part 95, the heat of the heating part 95 can be prevented from being transferred to the entire support frame 96 and to the receiving container 91.

[0042] In some embodiments, the heating element 95 may have an annular structure, with the anode basket 41 located radially inside the annular structure and the through hole formed by the heat insulation connector 97 located radially inside the annular structure.

[0043] In some embodiments, the heating part 95 is an integral ring structure. When assembling the anode assembly 40 with the feeding and discharging device 90, the anode assembly 40 can be hoisted into the slot 920 by a mechanical moving device, and then the anode assembly 40 can be lowered vertically by a mechanical moving device and hoisted by the hoisting part 92. At this time, the bottom of the anode assembly 40 is located on the radial inner side of the heating part 95.

[0044] In some embodiments, the heating part 95 can be a split annular structure. The anode assembly 40 can be hoisted by the hoisting part 92 first, and then the split heating part 95 can be assembled into an annular structure on the heat insulation connector 97 so that the anode basket 41 can be located on the radial inner side of the annular structure.

[0045] See Figure 1 In some embodiments, the feeding / discharging device 90 may further include a feeding section 98 for adding anode material to the anode basket 41 when the anode assembly 40 is hoisted to the hoisting section 92. In such embodiments, adding anode material to the anode basket 41 via the feeding section 98 helps to prevent the anode material from falling outside the anode basket 41.

[0046] See Figure 1 In some embodiments, the feeding section 98 is formed with a receiving groove 9801 and a transport groove 9802 communicating with the receiving groove 9801. The bottom surface of the transport groove 9802 extends downward at an incline toward the anode basket 41. After the external anode material enters the receiving groove 9801, it enters the anode basket 41 through the transport groove 9802.

[0047] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments, the anode assembly 40 may further include a feeding section 44 disposed in the anode basket 41. The feeding section 44 is funnel-shaped, and the anode material entering the transport tank 9802 enters the anode basket 41 through the feeding section 44. This arrangement helps to improve the feeding efficiency of the anode material and effectively prevents the anode material from being thrown outside the anode basket 41.

[0048] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments, the anode assembly 40 may further include a stirring section 45, which is formed on the outside of the anode basket 41. When the anode basket 41 rotates, the stirring section 45 can stir the molten salt. In such embodiments, stirring the molten salt by the stirring section 45 can make the composition of the molten salt uniformly distributed, which is beneficial to the electrolysis reaction.

[0049] Regarding the embodiments of this application, it should also be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments of this application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0050] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. The scope of protection of this application shall be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A molten salt electrolytic refining apparatus, characterized in that, Includes anode components and feeding / discharging devices; The feeding and discharging device is used to remove the residual material after electrolysis of the anode material contained in the anode assembly. The anode assembly includes: an anode basket and an anode support for supporting the anode basket, the anode support cooperating with the anode basket to form a receiving cavity for receiving the anode material, and the anode support being movable downward relative to the anode basket; the anode assembly also includes a lifting fitting disposed at the top of the anode basket. The feeding and discharging device includes: A receiving container for receiving the residual material; The hoisting part is used to cooperate with the hoisting mating part to hoist the anode assembly so that the anode assembly is suspended directly above the receiving container, and the anode support part can be moved downward relative to the anode basket to the pushing position under pressure; The pusher section is used to push the residual material on the anode support into the receiving container when the anode support of the anode assembly moves to the pusher position.

2. The molten salt electrolytic refining equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pushing part includes a pushing member and a pushing drive member for driving the pushing member to move. When the anode support moves to the pushing position, the pushing member can move relative to the anode support under the drive of the pushing drive member to push the residual material on the anode support into the receiving container.

3. The molten salt electrolytic refining equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The anode support includes a first support and a second support fixedly connected to the bottom of the first support. The second support is disposed at the bottom of the anode basket to support the anode basket and to close the bottom of the anode basket. The first support extends inside the anode basket along the extension direction of the anode basket to the top of the anode basket. The pusher can move relative to the second support under the drive of the pusher drive. The pusher forms a clearance groove that cooperates with the first support. When the pusher moves under the drive of the pusher drive, the first support can enter the clearance groove.

4. The molten salt electrolytic refining equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pusher includes a body and two scrapers connected to the body. The body forms the clearance groove, and the two scrapers are respectively connected to the body on both sides of the clearance groove. The two scrapers protrude downward to scrape off the residual material on the second support.

5. The molten salt electrolytic refining equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding and discharging device further includes: The conveying unit, wherein the receiving container is disposed in the conveying unit, is used to convey the receiving container to a position directly below the hoisting unit or to a position away from the position directly below the hoisting unit.

6. The molten salt electrolytic refining equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding and discharging device further includes a heating unit for heating the bottom of the anode basket.

7. The molten salt electrolytic refining equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The feeding and discharging device further includes a support frame, and the hoisting part, the pushing part, and the heating part are disposed on the support frame.

8. The molten salt electrolytic refining equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, The support frame includes, from bottom to top along the height direction: a first layer of frame, a second layer of frame, a third layer of frame distributed at intervals, and a plurality of columns for connecting the first layer of frame, the second layer of frame, and the third layer of frame; The hoisting part is located on the third frame, the heating part is located on the second frame, and the receiving container is located on the first frame.

9. The molten salt electrolytic refining equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, The feeding and discharging device further includes a heat-insulating connector, through which the heating part is connected to the support frame.

10. The molten salt electrolytic refining equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that, The feeding and discharging device further includes a feeding section for adding the anode material to the anode basket when the anode assembly is hoisted at the hoisting section.

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