Recycling of MgO, Mo, ZrO_2 based actinide-bearing matrices: assessment of reprocessing feasibility waste production

摘要

Three U-free matrices were compared with the UO_2 matrix. Mixed with minor actinides (MA) in targets, they were irradiated in the ADS and the SFR. The study focuses on the feasibility of target reprocessing by hydrometallurgy: dissolution, separation by extraction of U, Pu, Np, Am and Cm, followed by the concentration and vitrification of fission products. It was shown that UO_2-MA-bearing targets could be reprocessed without major difficulty, whereas among the inert matrix targets, only MgO-MA-bearing target industrial reprocessing could be possible today. There would, however, be a significant production of waste.