Open AccessLABORATORY DEVELOPMENT OF A TRIBUTYL PHOSPHATE SOLVENT EXTRACTION PROCESS FOR PROCESSING 20% ENRICHED URANIUM ALLOY FUEL
Author(s) -
J.H. Goode,
J.R. Flanary
Publication year - 1961
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/4005061
Subject(s) - tributyl phosphate , extraction (chemistry) , stripping (fiber) , dissolution , uranium , solvent , alloy , phosphate , solvent extraction , chemistry , materials science , purex , process (computing) , nuclear chemistry , chemical engineering , radiochemistry , metallurgy , chromatography , organic chemistry , engineering , computer science , composite material , operating system
A preliminary chemical flowsheet was developed on a laboratory scale for the preparation of feed and two solvent extraction cycles for the processing of Si-containing Al--U alloy, 20% enriched, fuel elements. Major process steps include dissolution of the fuel assembly in Hg-catalyzed ritric acid, removal of silica by coagulation during feed clarification, and recovery of U and pu by extraction with a tributyl phosphate solvent and selective stripping. Criticality control in existing process equipment is maintained by the use of internal neutron poisons and concentration control throughout the process. (auth