Magnetic separation as a plutonium residue enrichment process

Conference · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/01496399008050437· OSTI ID:5453395

Avens, L R; McFarlan, J T; Gallegos, U F

We have subjected several plutonium contaminated residues to Open Gradient Magnetic Separation (OGMS) on an experimental scale. Separation of graphite, bomb reduction sand, and bomb reduction sand, and bomb reduction sand, slag, and crucible, resulted in a plutonium rich fraction and a plutonium lean fraction. The lean fraction varied between about 20% to 85% of the feed bulk. The plutonium content of the lean fraction can be reduced from about 2% in the feed to the 0.1% to 0.5% range dependent on the portion of the feed rejected to this lean fraction. These values are low enough in plutonium to meet economic discard limits and be considered for direct discard. Magnetic separation of direct oxide reduction and electrorefining pyrochemical salts gave less favorable results. While a fraction very rich in plutonium could be obtained, the plutonium content of the lean fraction was to high for direct discard. This may still have chemical processing applications. OGMS experiments at low magnetic field strength on incinerator ash did give two fractions but the plutonium content of each fraction was essentially identical. Thus, no chemical processing advantage was identified for magnetic separation of this residue. The detailed results of these experiments and the implications for OGMS use in recycle plutonium processing are discussed. 4 refs., 3 figs., 9 tabs.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/DP
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5453395
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-89-3410; CONF-891013-6; ON: DE90002384
• Resource Relation: Journal Volume: 25; Journal Issue: 13-15; Conference: 6. symposium on separation science and technology for energy applications, Knoxville, TN (USA), 22-27 Oct 1989
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PLUTONIUM
SEPARATION PROCESSES
ASHES
ELECTROREFINING
ENRICHMENT
GRAPHITE
MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY
OXIDES
RESIDUES
SALTS
SAND
ACTINIDES
CARBON
CHALCOGENIDES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
LYSIS
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
METALS
MINERALS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PROCESSING
REFINING
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
052001* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Processing