Zirconium and hafnium separation with molten salt extraction in Sn–Cu–Zr–Hf and Cu–Zr–Hf alloy systems

Journal article (2016)

Authors

L. Xu OLD Metals Processing, Microstructures and Properties , Northeastern University China
Y Xiao Zr-Hf-Ti Metallurgie B.V., Anhui University of Technology
A van Sandwijk Zr-Hf-Ti Metallurgie B.V.
Z Zhao Anhui University of Technology
J. Li School of Materials and Metallurgy, Liaoning University of Science, OLD Metals Processing, Microstructures and Properties
Q Xu Shanghai University, School of Materials Science and Engineering
Y. Yang Anhui University of Technology, (OLD) MSE-3
Research Group
(OLD) MSE-3
Hafnium removal Molten salt extraction Nuclear-grade zirconium Zr-Hf separation
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Published Date

2016

Language

English

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Research Group

(OLD) MSE-3

Abstract

Chemical-grade zirconium contains about 1–3 wt% hafnium, which is harmful for nuclear applications due to its high neutron-capture cross section. In the present paper, Zr-Hf separation in Sn-Cu-Zr-Hf and Cu-Zr-Hf alloy systems using molten salt containing CuCl2 or CuF2 was thermodynamically evaluated and lab-scale experiments on zirconium and hafnium separation in different molten salt systems were conducted. The best single-step Hf removal efficiency and Zr-Hf separation factor of about 95% and 9.0, respectively, were obtained with a NaCl-CaCl2-CuCl2 (3 wt%) molten salt system at 850°C and the CuCl2/Hf stoichiometric ratio of 1.5.