Research on PARC process for future reprocessing

Asakura, Toshihide; Hotoku, Shinobu; Ban, Yasutoshi; Matsumura, Masakazu*; Kim, S.-Y.; Mineo, Hideaki; Morita, Yasuji

Proceedings of International Conference ATALANTE 2004 Advances for Future Nuclear Fuel Cycles, 5 Pages, 2004/06

In JAERI, PARC process based on PUREX technique has been studied to as the basis of future reprocessing. The key of concept is to obtain the products, U and Pu, within only a single extraction cycle by separating Np and Tc from U and Pu before U/Pu partition. Two flow-sheet tests on the process were performed with 44 GWd/t PWR spent-fuel solutions. It was demonstrated that remaining Np in raffinate from co-extraction could be decreased to 13 % compared to the dissolver solution with increased solvent flow rate and with increased nitric acid concentration of FP scrubbing solution. It was demonstrated that Np separation (selective reduction by n-butyraldehyde) efficiency could be improved from 36 % to 78 % by flow-sheet modification; increasing reductant concentration and scrubbing solution flow rate. The feasibility of the Tc separation technique by high acid scrubbing was demonstrated.