Recovery of neptunium by electrolysis of NpN in LiCl-KCl eutectic melts

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.