Dissolving plutonium dioxide from used nuclear fuel elements - in nitric acid plutonium dioxide mixtures under oxidising conditions

摘要

A method for dissolving plutonium dioxide completely in a dissolving mixt. comprising plutonium dioxide, nitric acid and a catalytically effective amt. of fluoride, is characterised in that oxidising conditions are provided to increase the speed of dissolution, electrolytically or by addn. of silver peroxide Ag2O2. The dissolving mixt. contains and retains dissolved ruthenium. Used in reclaiming radioactive plutonium dioxide from irradiated nuclear fuel elements. The radioactive prod. ruthenium is not driven off during the course of the process to cause radiation hazard. Practically the whole of the normally highly insoluble plutonium dioxide passes into soln. The amt. of fluoride ions in the soln. is reduced compared with prior art.