Aluminum Dissolution in Nitric Acid via Electrical Current

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for recovering nuclear materials from spent fuel require heating large quantities of nitric acid to boiling point, making the process costly and energy-intensive.

Innovation Solution

Applying a negative electrical current to aluminum in a nitric acid solution containing a catalyst like mercury at a temperature below boiling point initiates an autocatalytic dissolution reaction, allowing the solution to heat up without external heating, thereby dissolving aluminum and recovering nuclear fuels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional mercury-catalyzed dissolution process is used, then aluminum can be dissolved in nitric acid solution, but large amount of heating energy is required to bring the solution to boiling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedissolution process effectivenessVSAvoidheating energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal heating mechanism with an electrical current mechanism. Instead of using external heat sources to bring the nitric acid solution to boiling, an electrical current is applied to the aluminum fuel element to initiate and sustain the dissolution reaction. This substitution of energy form (electrical vs. thermal) directly resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for large amounts of heating energy while maintaining effective dissolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the dissolution process by applying electrical current instead of thermal heating. The electrical current parameter replaces the temperature parameter as the primary driver for initiating and maintaining the dissolution reaction. This parameter change allows the process to proceed effectively without requiring the solution to reach boiling temperatures, thereby reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If large quantity of nitric acid is heated to boiling, then aluminum dissolution is effective, but the process becomes costly and energy intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealuminum dissolution rateVSAvoidtotal process energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the thermal heating system with an electrical current system. By applying electrical current directly to the aluminum in the nitric acid solution, the dissolution reaction is initiated and sustained without requiring bulk heating of the entire acid volume. This replacement of the heating mechanism maintains high dissolution rates while dramatically reducing total energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If external heat source is used to heat nitric acid solution, then dissolution reaction can proceed, but additional equipment and complexity are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedissolution process feasibilityVSAvoidheating system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for external heating equipment by substituting electrical current application as the energy input mechanism. The electrical current can be applied directly to the aluminum fuel element using simple electrical connections, avoiding the need for complex heating systems, boilers, or thermal processing equipment. This substitution significantly reduces device complexity while maintaining process feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method reduces energy consumption by initiating and sustaining the dissolution reaction at lower temperatures, efficiently separating aluminum from nuclear fuels without the need for external heating, thus lowering costs and energy requirements.

Implementation Method 1

applying a negative electrical current to the metal while the electrolytic acid medium is at a temperature below its boiling point to initiate a dissolution reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

allowing heat from the reaction to raise the temperature of the solution without the application of any external heat source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 3

a catalyst, such as mercury, applying a negative electrical current to the material containing aluminum and a nuclear fuel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 4

the surface of aluminum forms a protective oxide layer in nitric acid that can be removed by either using a catalyst like mercury at the solution's boiling point

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAmalgam formation:

Data Source

PatentUS20240363260A1Method for controlling metal dissolution using an electrical current

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 BATTELLE SAVANNAH RIVER ALLIANCE LLC

AI summary

A process for dissolving a metal in an electrolytic acid medium using a catalyst. The process comprises applying a negative electrical current to the metal while the electrolytic acid medium is at a temperature below its boiling point to initiate a dissolution reaction, stopping the application of the electrical current, and allowing heat from the reaction to raise the temperature of the solution without the application of any external heat source.