Development of a simple reprocessing process using selective precipitant for uranyl ions; Precipitation behaviors of plutonium and other transuranium elements

Morita, Yasuji  ; Kawata, Yoshihisa*; Mineo, Hideaki  ; Koshino, Nobuyoshi*; Asanuma, Noriko*; Ikeda, Yasuhisa*; Yamasaki, Kazuhiko*; Chikazawa, Takahiro*; Tamaki, Yoshihisa*; Kikuchi, Toshiaki*

N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone (NCP) can selectively precipitate U(VI) ions in aqueous nitric acid solutions. Utilizing this property, we have been developing a simple reprocessing process of spent nuclear fuel based only on precipitation method. In the first precipitation step, only U is separated by precipitation in a yield of about 70%, and in the second precipitation step both U and Pu are recovered and separated from fission products (FP) and other transuranium elements (TRU). In JAERI, precipitation behaviors of Pu and other TRU were examined experimentally, and the results showed the feasibility of the process establishement.