Study on the effect of magnetic field on uranium dendrite growth by phase field method

Pyroprocessing as a means for conditioning spent nuclear fuels for disposal offers significant advantages over the direct disposal option. However, uranium dendrite growth has been one of the critical issues impeding its deployment. In the present study, a new strategy of imposing magnetic field in the electrorefining cell of uranium to inhibit uranium dendrite growth has been proposed. By using phase field method, the influences of different magnetic field densities on the uranium dendrite growth were explored. It is found the compactness of uranium deposition can be greatly enhanced while the uranium dendrite can be significantly suppressed if an adequate magnetic field intensity is applied. The results obtained in this study can provide theoretical support and new insights for the inhibition of uranium dendrite in pyroprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and facilitate its deployment.