Waste management analysis for the nuclear fuel cycle: actinide recovery from combustible waste, October 1977-March 1978

Technical Report · Tue Sep 18 04:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5819815· OSTI ID:5819815

Thompson, G. H.; Smith, C. M.; Childs, E. L.; Kochen, R. L.

Evaluation of the Ce(IV)-NHO/sub 3/ system for recovery of actinides from incinerator ash is continuing. High-fired americium-traced plutonium oxide was completely solubilized in this system and recovery of actinides from incinerator ash was greater than or equal to 95%. Recovery of solubilized plutonium was done by solvent extraction using tributyl phosphate. Tervalent actinides will be recovered by a bidentate organophosphorus solvent extractant. The Ce(IV)-HNO/sub 3/ system was compared with the F/sup -/-HNO/sub 3/ system now in common use. Advantages of the former include less equipment corrosion, no volatilization of silica, and better recovery of actinide in the initial contact. However, additional contacts do not significantly improve recovery (because silica is not solubilized), and the system requires a large liquid/solid ratio for efficient actinide recovery.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Canoga Park, CA (USA). Energy Systems Group
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-3533
• OSTI ID: 5819815
• Report Number(s): RFP-2798
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052001* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Processing
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ACTINIDES
ASHES
CERIUM COMPOUNDS
DISSOLUTION
ELEMENTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
LEACHING
MANAGEMENT
METALS
NITRIC ACID
PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
RARE EARTH COMPOUNDS
RECOVERY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESIDUES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING