Processing of spent nuclear fuel elements - by dissolving in nitric acid contg. an oxidn. medium, uranium and plutonium being recovered

摘要

In processing spent nuclear fuels the elements are dissolved in nitric acid and the evolution of nitrogen gases is prevented by adding a liquid oxidation medium continuously to the nitric acid. The appts. consists of a container for the elements, a vessel holding the oxidn. medium, a wash column, glass fibre filter and a series of molecular sieves. The process is carried out pressure-less or at low pressure and undesirable N oxide gases are not formed during the dissolution of the radioactive material in nitric acid. U and Pu ore recovered from spent nuclear fuel elements.