Modeling the Molten Salt Electrorefining Process for Spent Metal Fuel Using COMSOL

Molten salt electrorefining process is one of the key steps of the pyrochemical reprocessing flow sheet for the spent metallic fuel from fast reactors. The electrorefining process is simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics. This involves solving multiple equations corresponding to electrochemical reactions at the electrode surfaces, mass transfer of metal ions in the electrolyte, potential distribution in the electrolyte, and overall material balance of metal ions in a coupled manner. The model is validated using the data of laboratory scale electrorefining experiments from literature. The results show a good agreement with the present experimental data, the variation being less than 10% for the U and Pu concentration changes in liquid Cd anode and molten salt, and U deposit on solid cathode.