Kinetic model for electrorefining, part I: Model development and validation

•A model for electrorefining is developed.•The model is based diffusion control.•The model is validated by available experimental measurements.•The model can be applied to conduct parametric studies.

Electrorefining is the key process of the pryprocessing for treatment of spent nuclear fuels. In the present study, a kinetic model for electrorefining is developed. The model has the capability to predict the kinetic features of materials dissolution/deposition at anodes/cathodes of the electrorefiner and the evolution of the partial currents of the species involved, the potentials of the electrodes, and species concentrations in the molten salt. The model takes into account the changes of the surface areas and the volumes of the electrodes related to materials dissolution and deposition. The model is validated by compared with available experimental data. This article, focusing on the model development and validation, is Part I of the systemic study on development of the pyroprocessing model. Part II of this study will focus on the applications of the model.