Localized electrorefining of metals and alloys
AssigneeBattelle Savannah River Alliance, LLC
InventorsBrenda L. Garcia-Diaz, Christopher S. Dandeneau, Dale A. Hitchcock
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Abstract
Methods and systems for use in targeted removal of metals from a substrate via electrorefining are described. A self-propagating reaction is initiated by use of a thermite to reach high temperatures sufficient to induce localized melting of a salt situated on a metal or alloy substrate. Using a power supply connected to an electrode assembly, an electrorefining reaction capable of generating significant localized corrosion of the substrate is produced.
Claims17
A system for localized removal of a metal from an area of a substrate, the system comprising:
- an enclosure;
- a eutectic salt;
- a thermite;
- an ignition material;
- an electric circuit comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a power supply;
- wherein
- the enclosure is configured to retain the eutectic salt in contact with the metal of the substrate, the first electrode is configured for electrical contact with the eutectic salt within the enclosure, the second electrode is configured for contact with the substrate, and the power supply is configured for application of a voltage between the cathode and the anode.
A method for localized removal of a metal from an area of a substrate comprising:
- locating a eutectic salt on an area of a substrate, the area comprising the metal;
- locating a thermite in thermal communication with the eutectic salt;
- locating an ignition material in thermal communication with the thermite;
- igniting the ignition material, the ignition material igniting the thermite, upon which the eutectic salt becomes molten;
- locating a first electrode and a second electrode in electrical communication with the eutectic salt and the area of the substrate;
- and
- applying a voltage across the area of the substrate and the molten salt, upon which at least a portion of the metal migrates from the first electrode to the second electrode according to an electrolytic reaction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.