Mechanism of flashing phenomena induced by microwave heating

Fujita, Shunya*; Abe, Yutaka*; Kaneko, Akiko*; Yuasa, Tomohisa*; Segawa, Tomoomi ; Yamada, Yoshikazu ; Kato, Yoshiyuki ; Ishii, Katsunori 

Mixed uranium oxide and plutonium oxide powder is produced from uranyl nitrate and plutonium nitrate mixed solution by the microwave heating denitration method in the spent fuel reprocessing process. Since the microwave heating method is accompanied by a boiling phenomenon, it is necessary to fully grasp the operating conditions in order to avoid flashing and spilling in the mass production of denitrification technology for the future. In this research, it was confirmed that a potassium chloride aqueous solution as a simulant of uranyl nitrate aqueous solution with high dielectric loss cause loss of microwave at the solution surface as the dielectric loss increased with the increase of KCl concentration by experimental and electromagnetic field analysis, and revealed that the change in the heating condition affects the generation of flushing.