THE CHEMISTRY OF FUEL-REPROCESSING - PRESENT PRACTICES, FUTURE-TRENDS

The chemistry of reprocessing, the recovery and purification of plutonium from uranium and fission products produced in the fuel of a nuclear reactor, was surveyed and is described. Reprocessing presented unique chemical problems because of the intense radioactivity, the extreme degree of separation required, and the diversity of elements present. These challenges were met, and improved processes have evolved with time. After 50 years, improvements are still being introduced into the classical solvent extraction processes. In the future, integration of process steps across the entire fuel cycle and increased attention to waste management and environmental considerations are anticipated. © 1990 Akadémiai Kiadó.