Testing and economical evaluation of U(IV) in Purex
The use of uranous nitrate, U(IV), as a plutonium reductant in the Purex solvent extraction process could significantly reduce the waste generation at the Savannah River Plant. The current reductant is a ferrous sulfamate (FS)/hydroxylamine nitrate (HAN) mixture. The iron and sulfate in the FS are major contributors to waste generation. The U(IV) reductant oxidizes to U(VI) producing no waste. The Savannah River Laboratory has developed an efficient electrochemical cell for U(IV) production and has demonstrated the effectiveness of U(IV) as a plutonium reductant. Plant tests and economic analyses are currently being conducted to determine the cost effectiveness of U(IV) implementation. The results of recent studies are presented.
- Research Organization:
- Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, SC (USA). Savannah River Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-76SR00001
- OSTI ID:
- 6325104
- Report Number(s):
- DP-MS-83-4; CONF-830205-29; ON: DE83011383
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
052001 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Processing
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ACTINIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ELEMENTS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
MANAGEMENT
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PILOT PLANTS
PLUTONIUM
PRODUCTION
PUREX PROCESS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
REAGENTS
REDUCTION
REPROCESSING
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM NITRATES
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE MANAGEMENT