Advanced Separation Techniques for Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing and Radioactive Waste Treatment

by Kenneth L Nash (Editor), Gregg J Lumetta (Editor)

Overview

Advanced separations technology is key to closing the nuclear fuel cycle and relieving future generations from the burden of radioactive waste produced by the nuclear power industry. Nuclear fuel reprocessing techniques not only allow for recycling of useful fuel components for further power generation, but by also separating out the actinides, lanthanides and other fission products produced by the nuclear reaction, the residual radioactive waste can be minimised. Indeed, the future of the industry relies on the advancement of separation and transmutation technology to ensure environmental protection, criticality-safety and non-proliferation (i.e., security) of radioactive materials by reducing their long-term radiological hazard.Advanced separation techniques for nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment provides a comprehensive and timely reference on nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment. Part one covers the fundamental chemistry, engineering and safety of radioactive materials separations processes in the nuclear fuel cycle, including coverage of advanced aqueous separations engineering, as well as on-line monitoring for process control and safeguards technology. Part two critically reviews the development and application of separation and extraction processes for nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment. The section includes discussions of advanced PUREX processes, the UREX+ concept, fission product separations, and combined systems for simultaneous radionuclide extraction. Part three details emerging and innovative treatment techniques, initially reviewing pyrochemical processes and engineering, highly selective compounds for solvent extraction, and developments in partitioning and transmutation processes that aim to close the nuclear fuel cycle. The book concludes with other advanced techniques such as solid phase extraction, supercritical fluid and ionic liquid extraction, and biological treatment processes.With its distinguished international team of contributors, Advanced separation techniques for nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment is a standard reference for all nuclear waste management and nuclear safety professionals, radiochemists, academics and researchers in this field. - A comprehensive and timely reference on nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment - Details emerging and innovative treatment techniques, reviewing pyrochemical processes and engineering, as well as highly selective compounds for solvent extraction - Discusses the development and application of separation and extraction processes for nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780857092274
Publisher:	Woodhead Publishing, Limited
Publication date:	03/15/2011
Series:	Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	512
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Professor Kenneth L. Nash of Washington State University is an expert in the fields of nuclear separation processes and the nuclear fuel cycle.
Dr Gregg J. Lumetta of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is an expert in the fields of nuclear separation processes and the nuclear fuel cycle.

Table of Contents

Contributor contact details Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy Preface Part I: Fundamentals of radioactive materials separations processes: chemistry, engineering and safeguards Chapter 1: Chemistry of radioactive materials in the nuclear fuel cycle Abstract: 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Chemical features of important fission products and actinides 1.3 Relevant actinide chemistry in the nuclear fuel cycle 1.4 Essential features of solvent extraction separations in the nuclear fuel cycle 1.5 Behavior in molten salts/molten metals/ionic liquids/alternative media 1.6 Interactions at interfaces significant to the nuclear fuel cycle 1.7 Future trends Chapter 2: Physical and chemical properties of actinides in nuclear fuel reprocessing Abstract: 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Thermodynamic properties of compounds 2.3 Speciation, complexation and reactivity in solution of actinides 2.4 Irradiation effects 2.5 Future trends 2.6 Sources of further information and advice Chapter 3: Chemical engineering for advanced aqueous radioactive materials separations Abstract: 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Containment concepts 3.3 Separations equipment 3.4 Equipment materials considerations 3.5 Future trends 3.6 Sources of further information and advice Chapter 4: Spectroscopic on-line monitoring for process control and safeguarding of radiochemical streams in nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities Abstract: 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Static spectroscopic measurements 4.3 Demonstration of spectroscopic methods 4.4 Conclusions 4.5 Acknowledgments 4.7 Appendix: acronyms Chapter 5: Safeguards technology for radioactive materials processing and nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities Abstract: 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Requirements 5.3 Safeguards technology 5.4 Safeguards applications for aqueous separations 5.5 Safeguards applications for pyrochemical separations 5.6 Acknowledgement Part II: Separation and extraction processes for nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment Chapter 6: Standard and advanced separation: PUREX processes for nuclear fuel reprocessing Abstract: 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Process chemistry 6.3 Current industrial application of PUREX 6.4 Future industrial uses of PUREX 6.5 Conclusions Chapter 7: Alternative separation and extraction: UREX+ processes for actinide and targeted fission product recovery Abstract: 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Separation strategy 7.3 UREX + LWR SNF GNEP application: separation strategy 7.4 Benefits of using models to design flowsheets 7.5 Advantages and disadvantages of techniques 7.6 Future trends Chapter 8: Advanced reprocessing for fission product separation and extraction Abstract: 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Separation methods, advantages/disadvantages, and future trends 8.3 Conclusions and future trends Chapter 9: Combined processes for high level radioactive waste separations: UNEX and other extraction processes Abstract: 9.1 Introduction to universal extraction process (UNEX) and other processes 9.2 Universal processes for recovery of long-lived radionuclides 9.3 Development and testing of the universal extraction (UNEX) process and its modifications 9.4 Conclusions Part III: Emerging and innovative techniques in nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste treatment Chapter 10: Nuclear engineering for pyrochemical treatment of spent nuclear fuels Abstract: 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Process chemistry and flowsheet of pyrochemical processing 10.3 Design and installation of process equipment 10.4 Materials behaviour and interactions 10.5 Developments in monitoring and control for pyrochemical processing 10.6 Techniques for safe and effective interoperation of equipment 10.7 Future trends 10.8 Sources of further information and advice Chapter 11: Development of highly selective compounds for solvent extraction processes: partitioning and transmutation of long-lived radionuclides from spent nuclear fuels Abstract: 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Which long-lived radionuclides to partition and why? 11.