Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A process for the electrochemical dissolution of a metallic structure having a plurality of electrically conducting components, the process comprising utilising the structure as a sacrificial electrode in an electrochemical cell so as to dissolve at least a part of the structure, characterised in that, prior to use of the structure as a sacrificial electrode, molten metal is allowed to solidify about the structure so as electrically to connect together said components. 2. A process according to  claim 1  in which the metallic structure is a spent nuclear fuel assembly. claim 1 3. A process according to  claim 2  in which the molten metal is allowed to solidify about one end of the assembly and the assembly is then used as a sacrificial electrode with that end positioned uppermost and the other end extending into the cell electrolyte. claim 2 4. A process according to  claim 2  in which the fuel assembly includes a plurality of pins each being coated with an oxide film. claim 2 5. A process according to  claim 2  in which the fuel assembly includes a plurality of Zircaloy clad pins. claim 2 6. A process according to  claim 1  in which the molten metal is stainless steel. claim 1 7. A process according to  claim 6  in which the molten metal is at a temperature between 1350xc2x0 and 1420xc2x0 C. claim 6 8. A process according to  claim 7  in which the molten metal is a temperature between 1375xc2x0 and 1395xc2x0 C. claim 7 9. A process according to  claim 7  in which the molten metal is a temperature of the order of 1385xc2x0 C. claim 7 10. A process according to  claim 1  in which the metallic structure is substantially fully immersed into the molten metal prior to solidification thereof. claim 1 11. A process according to  claim 10  in which, after said full immersion, the molten metal is cooled at a rate of at least 100xc2x0 C. min xe2x88x921 . claim 10