(486c) Opportunities for Radiochemical Separations of Radioisotopes from Molten Salt Reactors

Molten salt reactor (MSR) technologies are attracting considerable interest for commercialization due to their inherent safety features and efficient energy production. Besides generating reliable and clean energy, MSRs hold the potential to harvest various high-value radioisotopes. However, the feasibility of directly recovering these isotopes from the fuel salt remains uncertain. This study investigates the behavior of different radioisotopes within a MSR environment and explores the theoretical and practical aspects of electrolytic processes in high-temperature fused salts. Electrolytic processes, extensively used for molten salt processing, present a promising approach for the direct extraction of isotopes from the fuel salt. We review the general principles of fused-salt electrolytic processes, including electrowinning, electrorefining, electroplating, and electroextraction, and discuss several experimental considerations. Additionally, we summarize published experimental results on isotope extraction via electrolytic methods. Our findings highlight critical factors for the effective recovery of radioisotopes from MSR-relevant molten salts through electrodeposition. This research provides insights that are crucial for advancing the commercial viability of MSR technologies and optimizing the recovery of valuable radioisotopes.