BusinessAugust 15, 2026

electrorefining

ee-LEK-tro-ri-fy-ning

Definition

A metallurgical process that uses electrolysis to purify metals or, in the context of nuclear technology, to separate and recover specific components from spent nuclear fuel.

Etymology

The word combines the Greek-derived 'electro-' referring to electricity and the verb 'refine,' which entered Middle English via Old French, meaning to remove impurities.

In the news

Oklo is constructing a commercial electrorefining facility to recycle spent fuel, allowing the company to process its own reactor-grade fuel as part of an integrated energy strategy.

Nuclear Newcomer Oklo Partners with Meta to Power Data Centers, A Thirty-Year Marathon Tests Investor Patience

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