• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.25-39
• /
• 2003

This study proposed a new electrolytic reduction technology that is based on the integration of simultaneous uranium oxide metallization and Li$_2$O electrowinning. In this electrolytic reduction reaction, electrolytically reduced Li deposits on cathode and simultaneously reacts with uranium oxides to produce uranium metal showing more than 99% conversion. For the verification of process feasibility, the experiments to obtain basic data on the metallization of uranium oxide, investigation of reaction mechanism, the characteristics of closed recycle of Li$_2$O and mass transfer were carried out. This evolutionary electrolytic reduction technology would give benefits over the conventional Li-reduction process improving economic viability such as: avoidance of handling of chemically active Li-LiCl molten salt increase of metallization yield, and simplification of process.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.47-53
• /
• 2003

An electrochemical reduction technology which can reduce the decay heat, volume, and radioactivity of spent fuel by a factor of quarter through converting oxide type spent fuel to a metallic form in a molten salt was developed and tests in a scale of g (3- 40g $U_{3}O_{8}$ batch) have been carried out by Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. In this research, the reaction apparatus in a scale of 5kg $U_{3}O_{8}$ batch was designed and manufactured for the mock-up test to obtain design data of the apparatus which will be used for the hot test in a scale of 20kg $U_{3}O_{8}$ batch. The electrochemical reduction behavior of $U_{3}O_{8}$ was analyzed regarding the operational factors and fresh $U_{3}O_{8}$ powder was metallized with a more than 99% yield verifying the process validity of electrochemical reduction process in a kg scale.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.46-52
• /
• 2023

Oxalic acid has been traditionally obtained via the oxidation of carbohydrates using nitric acid and catalysts. However, this process produces a variety of nitrogen oxides during oxidation and requires a separation process due to its various intermediates. These products and additional steps increase the harmfulness and complexity of the process. Recently, the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide into oxalic acid has been suggested as an environmentally friendly and efficient technology for the production of oxalic acid. In this electrochemical conversion system, zinc oxalate (ZnC₂O₄) is obtained by the reaction of Zn²⁺ ions produced by Zn oxidation and oxalate ions produced by CO₂ reduction. ZnC₂O₄ can then be converted to form oxalic acid, but this requires the use of a strong acid and heat. In this study, a system was proposed that can easily convert ZnC₂O₄ to oxalic acid without the use of a strong acid while also allowing for easy separation. In addition, this proposed system can also further convert the products into glycolic acid which is a high-value-added chemical. ZnC₂O₄ was effectively separated into Zn(OH)₂ powder and oxalate solution through a chemical treatment and a vacuum filtration process. Then the Zn(OH)₂ and oxalate were electrochemically converted to zinc and glycolic acid, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
• /
• 2004.06a
• /
• pp.352-352
• /
• 2004

산화물 형태의 사용후핵연료를 고온 용융염계에서 금속 형태로 전환하는 전기화학적 금속전환 공정 개발의 일환으로 $U_3O_8$ 분말로 충전된 다공성 마그네시아 용기 및 스테인레스강 고체전극으로 구성된 일체형 음극과 $SnO_2$ 재질의 양극을 사용하여 5kg $U_3O_8$/batch 규모의 mock-up 시험을 수행하였다. 백금 재질의 양극을 사용하였을 때 99% 이상의 금속전환율을 보인 동일한 전하량을 공급하고 실험을 중단한 결과 X-선 회절분석(XRD) 및 열중량 분석(TG)으로부터 스테인레스강 고체전극 부분에서는 거의 금속으로 전환되었으나 다공성 마그네시아 용기 부분에서는 비교적 금속전환율이 낮은 경향을 나타내었다.(중략)

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
• /
• 2003.11a
• /
• pp.358-362
• /
• 2003

An electrochemical reduction technology which can reduce the decay heat, volume, and radioactivity of spent fuel by a factor of quarter by converting oxide type spent fuel to a metallic form in a molten salt was developed and mock-up test in a 5kg $U_3O_8$/batch scale was carried out. The electrochemical reaction was analyzed regarding the operational factors. The research efforts was also concentrated on the apparatus development for a hot test. Fresh $U_3O_8$ powder was metallized with a more than 99% yield via this electrochemical technology and design data for the 20kg $U_3O_8$/batch scale apparatus were also obtained.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
• /
• v.41 no.11
• /
• pp.727-734
• /
• 2017

The electrochemical conversion of $CO_2$ is one of the methods for reducing $CO_2$. Four materials (Ag, Ni, Pt, and Ir) were selected as the electrodes. The electrochemical conversion was performed under a cell voltage of 4.0 V at $600^{\circ}C$. The amounts of $CO_2$ reduction and carbon production were at the highest for Ag, followed by, Pt, Ni, and then Ir. The produced carbon samples were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis and XRD. The thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that all the carbon produced at each electrode exhibited similar thermal reactivity. The XRD results showed that the crystallization of carbon was different depending on the electrode utilized. Although electrochemical conversion was the highest for the Ag electrode, a loss of material accompanied it. Therefore, for this study, the optimal electrode is Pt, taking into account reactivity and material losses.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2013.08a
• /
• pp.71.2-71.2
• /
• 2013

천연가스를 화학적 전환에 의해 부가가치를 높이기 위해서는 리포밍에 의해 합성가스(CO/H2)를 경유하는 간접전환경로가 현재로서는 가장 현실적인 방법이라 할 수 있다. 천연가스를 이용한 합성가스 제조기술은 수증기개질법(SRM), 이산화탄소 개질법(CDR, dry reforming), 부분산화법, 촉매 부분 산화법, 자열개질법 등으로 구분되며, 최근에는 각각의 제조방법의 장점을 고려하여 혼합개질법 또는 일련의 리포머 조합 방법이 개발되고 있다. CDR은 촉매 하에서 메탄과 이산화탄소의 직접접촉에 의해 반응이 일어나며, 수소와 일산화탄소의 비가 같은 합성가스가 제조된다. SRM에 비하여 고온에서 반응이 일어나고 전환율이 더 낮으므로 에너지 소비가 상대적으로 높다. 하지만, SRM과 함께 사용하면 합성가스 비율을 F-T합성이나 메탄올 합성에 적절한 비율로 조절이 가능한 장점이 있으며, 온실가스를 저감시킬 수 있는 전환기술로도 각광받고 있다. 본 발표에서는 최근의 CDR을 이용한 가스로부터 합성석유(GTL)와 메탄올을 고효율로 생산하는 기술 개발 동향에 대해서 소개하고자 한다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
• /
• 2005.11a
• /
• pp.233-233
• /
• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
• /
• 2018.10a
• /
• pp.52-52
• /
• 2018

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.131-141
• /
• 2009

The conversion of carbon dioxide to value-added compounds has been attracted to solve the environmental problems due to the climate change caused by greenhouse effect in addition to recycle the abundant and renewable carbon source. For utilizing carbon dioxide to useful compounds, the development of catalysts and optimization of experimental conditions are indispensable since carbon dioxide is the most stable one among carbon compounds and the a certain amount of energy is required for the carbon dioxide conversion. The technologies developed for the electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion were reviewed in terms of electrocatalyst which can be electrode material, inorganic complex, and enzyme. This field should be developed further since no good catalyst having selectivity, efficiency, and stability all together.