Current status of R&D on reprocessing and minor actinide separation process with CHON ligands in JAEA

Matsumura, Tatsuro  ; Ban, Yasutoshi  ; Suzuki, Hideya; Tsubata, Yasuhiro   ; Hotoku, Shinobu ; Tsutsui, Nao  ; Suzuki, Asuka; Toigawa, Tomohiro   ; Kurosawa, Tatsuya*; Shibata, Mitsunobu*; Kawasaki, Tomohiro*; Ishii, Sho*

PUREX process was established for industrial scale reprocessing plant. TRUEX and the 4 group separation were developed for partitioning of minor actinides from HLW, and demonstrated using genuine HLW. Although the extractants for the processes have excellent performance, the molecules contain phosphorus which could be cause for the secondary waste from the solvent extraction processes. To minimize the radioactive waste, we have conducted research and development of the new reprocessing and MA separation processes using innovative extractants in accord with CHON principle. The extractants for reprocessing process are monoamides as alternative extractants for TBP. For An(III)+RE recovery process, we developed TDdDGA. HONTA and ADAAM were developed for An(III)/RE separation process and Am/Cm separation process respectively. The separation performances of the flowsheets were evaluated by continuous extraction tests using simulated and genuine spent fuel and high level liquid waste.