Advanced Separation Techniques For Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing And Radioactive Waste Treatment

Advanced separations technology is key to closing the nuclear fuel cycle and relieving future generations from the burden of radioactive waste produced by the nuclear power industry. Nuclear fuel reprocessing techniques not only allow for recycling of useful fuel components for further power generation, but by also separating out the actinides, lanthanides and other fission products produced by the nuclear reaction, the residual radioactive waste can be minimised. Indeed, the future of the industry relies on the advancement of separation and transmutation technology to ensure environmental protection, criticality-safety and non-proliferation (i.e., security) of radioactive materials by reducing their long-term radiological hazard. Advanced separation techniques for nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment provides a comprehensive and timely reference on nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment. Part one covers the fundamental chemistry, engineering and safety of radioactive materials separations processes in the nuclear fuel cycle, including coverage of advanced aqueous separations engineering, as well as on-line monitoring for process control and safeguards technology. Part two critically reviews the development and application of separation and extraction processes for nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment. The section includes discussions of advanced PUREX processes, the UREX+ concept, fission product separations, and combined systems for simultaneous radionuclide extraction. Part three details emerging and innovative treatment techniques, initially reviewing pyrochemical processes and engineering, highly selective compounds for solvent extraction, and developments in partitioning and transmutation processes that aim to close the nuclear fuel cycle. The book concludes with other advanced techniques such as solid phase extraction, supercritical fluid and ionic liquid extraction, and biological treatment processes. With its distinguished international team of contributors, Advanced separation techniques for nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment is a standard reference for all nuclear waste management and nuclear safety professionals, radiochemists, academics and researchers in this field. A comprehensive and timely reference on nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment Details emerging and innovative treatment techniques, reviewing pyrochemical processes and engineering, as well as highly selective compounds for solvent extraction Discusses the development and application of separation and extraction processes for nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment

Separation Techniques in Nuclear Waste Management is an up-to-date, comprehensive survey of processes for separation of nuclear wastes. Comprised of articles by scientists and engineers at universities and national laboratories in the U.S. and overseas, the book provides excellent reference information for individuals working in nuclear waste management. Specifically, the book covers current separation technologies and techniques for waste liquid, solid, and gas streams that contain radionuclides. Such wastes are typical of those produced as a result of nuclear materials processing and spent fuel reprocessing. Chapters on promising new technologies and state-of-the-art processes currently in use provide valuable information for design engineers, as well as for research scientists. The articles in Separation Techniques in Nuclear Waste Management are brief and concise - designed for quick access to pertinent information. Many of the contributors are leaders in their fields. It is the most current survey available of the latest nuclear waste management techniques.

Disposal of radioactive waste from nuclear weapons production and power generation has caused public outcry and political consternation. Nuclear Wastes presents a critical review of some waste management and disposal alternatives to the current national policy of direct disposal of light water reactor spent fuel. The book offers clearcut conclusions for what the nation should do today and what solutions should be explored for tomorrow. The committee examines the currently used "once-through" fuel cycle versus different alternatives of separations and transmutation technology systems, by which hazardous radionuclides are converted to nuclides that are either stable or radioactive with short half-lives. The volume provides detailed findings and conclusions about the status and feasibility of plutonium extraction and more advanced separations technologies, as well as three principal transmutation concepts for commercial reactor spent fuel. The book discusses nuclear proliferation; the U.S. nuclear regulatory structure; issues of health, safety and transportation; the proposed sale of electrical energy as a means of paying for the transmutation system; and other key issues.

The purpose of this technical seminar was to evaluate the present state of the art in matter of advanced separation techniques like solvent extraction, ion-exchange, chemical precipitation, membrane and electrical processes for the treatment of radioactive liquid waste and a selection of some specific industrial non-radioactive effluents. Through this initiative, the organisers aimed at promoting the exchange of information between scientists from various origins (universities, research centres and industries) while contributing to the necessary overcoming of the artificial barriers which too often limit the "technology transfer" between the nuclear and non-nuclear sectors. Vll CONTENTS PREFACE ........................................ V ABBREVIATIONS ...................................... xiv OPENING SESSION WELCOME ADDRESS C. MANCINI (ENEA) .................................... 3 OPENING ADDRESS S. FINZI (CEC) ....................................... 7 AREAS WHERE ADVANCED SEPARATION TECHNIQUES ARE DESIRABLE G. GROSSI (ENEA), L. CECILLE (CEC) ....................... 11 REVIEW OF NEW EXTRACT ANTS POTENTIALLY APPLICABLE TO THE PROCESSING OF RADIOACTIVE LIQUID WASTES (Summary) P.R. DANESI, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 . . . . . . . . . .

Separation Techniques in Nuclear Waste Management is an up-to-date, comprehensive survey of processes for separation of nuclear wastes. Comprised of articles by scientists and engineers at universities and national laboratories in the U.S. and overseas, the book provides excellent reference information for individuals working in nuclear waste management. Specifically, the book covers current separation technologies and techniques for waste liquid, solid, and gas streams that contain radionuclides. Such wastes are typical of those produced as a result of nuclear materials processing and spent fuel reprocessing. Chapters on promising new technologies and state-of-the-art processes currently in use provide valuable information for design engineers, as well as for research scientists. The articles in Separation Techniques in Nuclear Waste Management are brief and concise - designed for quick access to pertinent information. Many of the contributors are leaders in their fields. It is the most current survey available of the latest nuclear waste management techniques.

Engineering Separations Unit Operations for Nuclear Processing provides insight into the fundamentals of separations in nuclear materials processing not covered in typical texts. This book integrates fuel cycle and waste processing into a single, coherent approach, demonstrating that the principles from one field can and should be applied to the other. It provides historical perspectives on nuclear materials processing, current assessment and challenges, and how past challenges were overcome. It also provides understanding of the engineering principles associated with handling nuclear materials. This book is aimed at researchers, graduate students, and professionals in the fields of chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, and materials engineering.

Reprocessing and Recycling of Spent Nuclear Fuel presents an authoritative overview of spent fuel reprocessing, considering future prospects for advanced closed fuel cycles. Part One introduces the recycling and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, reviewing past and current technologies, the possible implications of Generation IV nuclear reactors, and associated safely and security issues. Parts Two and Three focus on aqueous-based reprocessing methods and pyrochemical methods, while final chapters consider the cross-cutting aspects of engineering and process chemistry and the potential for implementation of advanced closed fuel cycles in different parts of the world. Expert introduction to the recycling and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel Detailed overview of past and current technologies, the possible implications of Generation IV nuclear reactors, and associated safely and security issues A lucid exploration of aqueous-based reprocessing methods and pyrochemical methods

Radioactive wastes are generated from a wide range of sources, including the power industry, and medical and scientific research institutions, presenting a range of challenges in dealing with a diverse set of radionuclides of varying concentrations. Conditioning technologies are essential for the encapsulation and immobilisation of these radioactive wastes, forming the initial engineered barrier required for their transportation, storage and disposal. The need to ensure the long term performance of radioactive waste forms is a key driver of the development of advanced conditioning technologies. The Handbook of advanced radioactive waste conditioning technologies provides a comprehensive and systematic reference on the various options available and under development for the treatment and immobilisation of radioactive wastes. The book opens with an introductory chapter on radioactive waste characterisation and selection of conditioning technologies. Part one reviews the main radioactive waste treatment processes and conditioning technologies, including volume reduction techniques such as compaction, incineration and plasma treatment, as well as encapsulation methods such as cementation, calcination and vitrification. This coverage is extended in part two, with in-depth reviews of the development of advanced materials for radioactive waste conditioning, including geopolymers, glass and ceramic matrices for nuclear waste immobilisation, and waste packages and containers for disposal. Finally, part three reviews the long-term performance assessment and knowledge management techniques applicable to both spent nuclear fuels and solid radioactive waste forms. With its distinguished international team of contributors, the Handbook of advanced radioactive waste conditioning technologies is a standard reference for all radioactive waste management professionals, radiochemists, academics and researchers involved in the development of the nuclear fuel cycle. Provides a comprehensive and systematic reference on the various options available and under development for the treatment and immobilisation of radioactive wastes Explores radioactive waste characterisation and selection of conditioning technologies including the development of advanced materials for radioactive waste conditioning Assesses the main radioactive waste treatment processes and conditioning technologies, including volume reduction techniques such as compaction