Reactive-crystallization method for purification of LiCl–KCl eutectic salt waste

Abstract

In this study, a reactive-crystallization method was introduced for the purification of LiCl–KCl salt waste generated in pyrochemical processes, wherein the salt was purified and impurities were precipitated using Li₂CO₃. The element separation efficiencies of group I/II and rare-earth elements were found to be > 90%. In addition, the metal corrosion generated during this process was mostly present in the precipitate phase, and the dissolved metal corrosion in the eutectic salt was suppressed to a few ppm. The feasibility of this process was confirmed by thermodynamic calculations. Reactive-crystallization can also be applied to other salt waste systems, such as MSR nuclear fuel treatment and molten salt chemistry for impurity purification.