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U.S. Department of Energy
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A CONTINUOUS DAREX PROCESS FLOWSHEET

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4310715· OSTI ID:4310715
A Darex flowsheet is presented wherein dissolution of stainiess steel- type fuel elements in dilute aqua regia, stripping of chloride from spent dissolver solution, adjustment of stripper product composition and rectification of HNO/sub 3/ --H/sub 2/O vapors are accomplished in a completely continuous relatively simple loop process. Product from the loop needs only dilution with water to be made suitable as feed for a solvent extraction processing plant. The proposed scheme differs from earlier concepts. A continuous, pot dissolver (well- mixed liquid phase) is utilized rather than a trickle type dissolver. A strip vapor slightly lower in HNO/sub 3/ concentration than the azeotrope is used. A feed adjustment tank serves not only to recover HNO/sbu 3/ --H/sub 2/O vapor, but also to dehydrate any silica present and to adjust the product composition such that upon water addition the material is ready for feed to solvent extraction. In most previous concepts, separate, batchwise feed adjustment was contemplated. (auth)
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
NSA Number:
NSA-12-016298
OSTI ID:
4310715
Report Number(s):
CF-57-10-89
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English