An engineering-scale demonstration of the Sulfex (4-6 M H2SO4) process indicated that semicontinuous decladding of unirradiated stainless steelcled UO2 or UO2-ThO2 fuels is feasible. In a long cylindrical dissolver, 4-in. i.d. by 19-ft high, solution bumping or foaming did not cause serious operational problems.nFor decladding of prototype Consolidated Edison UO2-ThO2 fuel assemblies, 2.8-4.0 hr was required. Soluble thorium losses to the clad solution varied from 0.022％ in the absence of a heel to 0.25％ in the presence of a heel. Soluble uranium losses were fairly constant, ~0.02％.
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