Development of solvent extraction processes for the H.T.G.C.R. fuel cycle, Part 1 - design of a flow-sheet for the recovery of actinides.

Abstract

A preliminary flowsheet for the recovery and decontamination of residual actinides in spent H.T.G.C.R. fuel has been designed. A calculation method for the multicomponent liquid—liquid extraction system H20 - UO2(NO3)2 - Th(NO3)4 - Be(N03)2 - HNO3 - TPP - Kerosene using the limited equilibrium data available is described. The flowsheet which has been designed incorporates a novel "split contactor" concept which is necessary to prevent third phase problems.