Journal article here So, I found this to be a very interesting study. Currently, nuclear reprocessing occurs via the PUREX Process, which uses nitric acid, tri-butyl phosphate, and a reducing...
So, I found this to be a very interesting study. Currently, nuclear reprocessing occurs via the PUREX Process, which uses nitric acid, tri-butyl phosphate, and a reducing agent to create a uranium product, a plutonium product, and a high-activity waste stream. While PUREX is a pretty good process, it has proliferation concerns, produces a relatively large volume of waste, and is poor in separating the minor actinides (neptunium, americium, and curium). There is also the potential for a red oil explosion. This new process being researched at Texas A&M simply dissolves the fuel in hot nitric acid (as is done currently in PUREX) and crystallizes the actinides out of solution, using sodium bismuthate to maintain the +6 oxidation state. The results indicate a homogeneous distribution of the other actinides within uranium crystals, along with a consistent ratio between uranium and the other actinide species. The lack of a separate plutonium stream increases proliferation resistance compared to PUREX. Additionally, the lack of an organic phase has the potential to simplify future flowsheets, increase process safety, and reduce waste generation.
Journal article here
So, I found this to be a very interesting study. Currently, nuclear reprocessing occurs via the PUREX Process, which uses nitric acid, tri-butyl phosphate, and a reducing agent to create a uranium product, a plutonium product, and a high-activity waste stream. While PUREX is a pretty good process, it has proliferation concerns, produces a relatively large volume of waste, and is poor in separating the minor actinides (neptunium, americium, and curium). There is also the potential for a red oil explosion. This new process being researched at Texas A&M simply dissolves the fuel in hot nitric acid (as is done currently in PUREX) and crystallizes the actinides out of solution, using sodium bismuthate to maintain the +6 oxidation state. The results indicate a homogeneous distribution of the other actinides within uranium crystals, along with a consistent ratio between uranium and the other actinide species. The lack of a separate plutonium stream increases proliferation resistance compared to PUREX. Additionally, the lack of an organic phase has the potential to simplify future flowsheets, increase process safety, and reduce waste generation.