Development of a Bench-Scale Metal Distillation Furnace

• Published in: Nuclear technology 1997-12, Vol.120 (3), p.232-242
• Main Authors: Vest, Michael A., Lewandowski, Edward F., Pierce, R. Dean, Smith, James L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Nuclear fuels; Preparation and processing of nuclear fuels
• ISSN: 0029-5450; 1943-7471
• DOI: 10.13182/NT97-A35414

Design of an inductively heated bench-scale distillation furnace (retort) capable of processing actinides is described. The apparatus consists of a vacuum/inert gas bell jar, a bell-jar lift, a nonwater-cooled induction coil, the induction tank circuit, and a series of components designed to contain the metal melts and vapors. The apparatus is located within a nitrogen glovebox and is designed to process plutonium-containing feeds. The electrical parameters of the induction coil and tank circuit necessary for design were determined by two different methods; one is based solely on calculated impedance values, and the other used high-frequency impedance measurements on a mock-up of the induction coil/susceptor arrangement. During the design stage, the two methods of determining electrical parameters gave similar results. With the as-built system, the impedance meter did detect some efficiency loss to the metal bell jar and coil support that the calculational method did not predict. These losses were not significant enough to cause operating problems, and thus, both methods were shown to be adequate for the intended purpose. Zinc and magnesium were distilled, and uranium was melted in a successful series of shake-down runs.