The chemical processing of used nuclear fuel is an integral component of any strategy for the transmutation of nuclear waste. Due to the large volume of material that must be handled in this first step of the transmutation process, the efficiency of the separations process is a key factor in the potential economic viability of transmutation strategies. The ability to optimize the chemical separation systems is vital to ensure the feasibility of the transmutation program.Systems analysis, or total systems modeling, is one of the strongest tools available to researchers for understanding and optimizing complex systems such as chemical separations processes. Systems analyses permit researchers to present decision-makers concise evaluations of system options and their characteristic features. The primary goal of this project is to develop a systems model that can be used to parameterize and optimize chemical separations processes.
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