Electrochemical method of producing eutectic uranium alloy and apparatus

An electrochemical method of producing an eutectic uranium alloy comprising the steps of:

• (a) creating an electrolyte reservoir defined by a container comprising an anode;
• (b) placing an electrolyte mixture in said reservoir and in contact with said anode, said electrolyte comprising a chlorine or fluorine containing salt and uranium chloride, and melting said mixture;
• (c) positioning a cathode in said reservoir, and in contact with said electrolyte, said cathode comprising a metal capable of forming an uranium alloy having a melting point less than the melting point of pure uranium;
• (d) applying a current between said cathode to said anode;
• and
• (e) draining molten uranium alloy from said reservoir.

An electrochemical cell for producing an eutectic uranium alloy from UCl.sub.4 comprising:

• an anode shaped to form an electrolyte reservoir;
• a cathode comprising a metal capable of forming an eutectic uranium alloy having a melting point less than the melting point of pure uranium;
• and
• a molten electrolyte in said reservoir and in contact with said anode and said cathode, said electrolyte comprising a chlorine or fluorine containing salt and uranium chloride.