Design Study on Minor Actinides Recovery for the NEXT Reprocessing

Koma, Yoshikazu  ; Takata, Takeshi ; Sato, Koji; Sato, Koji

As a part of the fasibility study on commercialized fast cycle systems,conceptual design study on aqueous recovery process of Am and Cm was conducted in order to choose the most promising method for future reprocessing plant. Process flow diagram,material balance and arrangement of equipment were made for the three alternative methods. The SETFICS is a solvent extraction using TRUEX solvent and DTPA-nitrate solution to obtain actinides (III) products wothout laight lanthanides. The MAREC is an extraction chromatography using a porous silica support. Amine extraction combines oxdation of actinides(III) to (IV) and extractionof polyanionic actinides(IV) complex into amine mixed solvent.Definite difference was not found in technical feasibility and safety of them at the present.Comparing waste generation and cost for apparatus, the MAREC process seems to have an advantage.