Design and analysis of electrode components for use in spent CANDU fuel reprocessing
| dc.contributor.advisor | Cook, William | |
| dc.contributor.author | Stagg, Devon | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-06-04T18:12:45Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-06-04T18:12:45Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-03 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Electroreduction experiments were conducted to determine the suitability of platinum-iridium (80 wt% Pt; 20 wt% Ir) and graphite anodes for use in Moltex Energy’s Waste to Stable Salt (WATSS) process. To determine their degradation rates, molten CaCl2-CaO (~10 wt% CaO) was electrolyzed on sample electrodes in open and inert atmospheres. It was determined that the degradation rate of Pt-Ir in open and inert atmospheres was similar, while graphite’s degradation rate was inhibited in inert atmospheres. The main degradation mechanism for Pt-Ir and graphite anodes was found to be pitting corrosion and carbonate cycling, respectively. To verify the WATSS electroreduction stage and alloy formation mechanism, CeO2 pellets (acting as a surrogate for used fuel) were reduced in molten CaCl2-CaO (~0.5 wt% CaO). SEM/EDX and Raman analysis confirmed that cerium metal and cerium oxychloride formed on the cathode. Overall, neither anode is recommended for WATSS but the electroreduction stage has been demonstrated. | |
| dc.description.copyright | ©Devon Stagg, 2025 | |
| dc.format.extent | xiv, 106 | |
| dc.format.medium | electronic | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://unbscholar.lib.unb.ca/handle/1882/38310 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | University of New Brunswick | |
| dc.relation | Moltex Energy | |
| dc.relation | Emera Graduate Scholarships | |
| dc.relation | Kay and Jim Dineen Memorial Scholarship | |
| dc.rights | http://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2 | |
| dc.subject.discipline | Chemical Engineering | |
| dc.title | Design and analysis of electrode components for use in spent CANDU fuel reprocessing | |
| dc.type | master thesis | |
| oaire.license.condition | other | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Chemical Engineering | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | University of New Brunswick | |
| thesis.degree.level | masters | |
| thesis.degree.name | M.Sc.E. |