Capture and Solidification of Rare Earth Nuclide (Nd) in LiCl-KCl Eutectic Salt Using a Synthetic Inorganic Composite

In this study, neodymium (Nd) nuclides in LiCl-KC1 eutectic salts were captured and solidified using a synthetic inorganic composite (Li2O-SiO2-Al2O3-B2O3), a process that allows the selective capture of Nd and fabrication of a composite with Nd captured from waste, without additional additives or mixing. The Nd nuclides in the LiCl-KCl eutectic salt were mainly captured in the form of LiNdSiO4, and it was confirmed that NdSiOa can be formed in the composite with captured Nd when the content of Nd in the composite is increased. The capture efficiency was higher than about 98 wt%. It was thought that the salt recovered from the Nd capture test was a renewable form could be reused in the pyroprocessing of used nuclear fuel, because the composite has high chemical durability in a LiCl-KCl eutectic salt at 900 degrees C. The composite captured Nd was fabricated into a homogeneous glass form and a stable ceramic form.