Survey of nuclear fuel reprocessing technologies

Abstract A comprehensive review of 32 separation technologies applicable to nuclear fuel reprocessing has been conducted. These techniques have been classified and subdivided according to their principles of separation. The input fuels, principles of separation, history, stage of development, ability to extract plutonium and other pertinent information are summarized and tabulated for easy reference and comparison. For the most part the flow sheets and technologies involved in each separation process are described and the primary advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Engineering parameters such as decontamination factors, operating temperature, number of stages, chemistry and construction materials needed are examined.

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