The electrochemical behavior of neptunium nitride, NpN, in the LiCl-KCl eut
ectic melt containing NpCl3 at 450, 500 and 550 degrees C was investigated
from the viewpoint of the application of electrochemical refining in a fuse
d salt to nitride fuel cycle. The electrochemical dissolution of NpN began
nearly at the potential theoretically evaluated, though this reaction was i
rreversible owing to small partial pressure of N-2 in the salt and the reac
tion rate was slow. Under the electrolysis in the NpCl3-LiCl-KCl eutectic m
elt, NpN was dissolved into the salt as Np3+ at the anode, and Np metal was
deposited at the cathode. About 0.5 g of Np metal was obtained by heating
the deposit containing the salt at 800 degrees C for 3.6 ks.