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Title: Apparatus and method for reprocessing and separating spent nuclear fuels. [Patent application]

Abstract

A method and apparatus for separating and reprocessing spent nuclear fuels includes a separation vessel housing a molten metal solvent in a reaction region, a reflux region positioned above and adjacent to the reaction region, and a porous filter member defining the bottom of the separation vessel in a supporting relationship with the metal solvent. Spent fuels are added to the metal solvent. A nonoxidizing nitrogen-containing gas is introduced into the separation vessel, forming solid actinide nitrides in the metal solvent from actinide fuels, while leaving other fission products in solution. A pressure of about 1.1 to 1.2 atm is applied in the reflux region, forcing the molten metal solvent and soluble fission products out of the vessel, while leaving the solid actinide nitrides in the separation vessel.

Inventors:
; ; ;
Issue Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6749350
Application Number:
ON: DE83002357
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-48
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; SPENT FUELS; PYROCHEMICAL REPROCESSING; ACTINIDES; FILTERS; FILTRATION; FISSION PRODUCTS; LIQUID METALS; NITRIDATION; NITROGEN; POROUS MATERIALS; TIN; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; ELEMENTS; ENERGY SOURCES; FLUIDS; FUELS; ISOTOPES; LIQUIDS; MATERIALS; METALS; NONMETALS; NUCLEAR FUELS; RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS; REACTOR MATERIALS; REPROCESSING; SEPARATION PROCESSES; 050800* - Nuclear Fuels- Spent Fuels Reprocessing

Citation Formats

Krikorian, O H, Grens, J Z, Parrish, Sr, W H, and Coops, M S. Apparatus and method for reprocessing and separating spent nuclear fuels. [Patent application]. United States: N. p., 1982. Web.
Krikorian, O H, Grens, J Z, Parrish, Sr, W H, & Coops, M S. Apparatus and method for reprocessing and separating spent nuclear fuels. [Patent application]. United States.
Krikorian, O H, Grens, J Z, Parrish, Sr, W H, and Coops, M S. Tue . "Apparatus and method for reprocessing and separating spent nuclear fuels. [Patent application]". United States.
@article{osti_6749350,
title = {Apparatus and method for reprocessing and separating spent nuclear fuels. [Patent application]},
author = {Krikorian, O H and Grens, J Z and Parrish, Sr, W H and Coops, M S},
abstractNote = {A method and apparatus for separating and reprocessing spent nuclear fuels includes a separation vessel housing a molten metal solvent in a reaction region, a reflux region positioned above and adjacent to the reaction region, and a porous filter member defining the bottom of the separation vessel in a supporting relationship with the metal solvent. Spent fuels are added to the metal solvent. A nonoxidizing nitrogen-containing gas is introduced into the separation vessel, forming solid actinide nitrides in the metal solvent from actinide fuels, while leaving other fission products in solution. A pressure of about 1.1 to 1.2 atm is applied in the reflux region, forcing the molten metal solvent and soluble fission products out of the vessel, while leaving the solid actinide nitrides in the separation vessel.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 19 00:00:00 EST 1982},
month = {Tue Jan 19 00:00:00 EST 1982}
}

Patent:
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