Flowsheet Studies under the Expert Group on Chemical Partitioning

The WPFC Working Group on Flowsheet Studies has been evaluating the separation performance of partitioning processes as well as the quantities and nature of wastes generated in these processes. The main parametric values were provided to the NDC Expert Group to support their report on Advanced Nuclear Fuel Cycles and Radioactive Waste Management published in 2006. The Working Group was merged into the WPFC Expert Group on Chemical Partitioning in September 2006 to produce a report on detailed flowsheets of the aqueous and pyro processes under development.

The expert group evaluates critical performance parameters for each process and scenario, including:

• detailed mass-balance flowsheet;
• high-level waste volume generation and character;
• expected technical performance (recovery efficiency, product decontamination, waste radiotoxicity and decay heat generation, etc.);
• technological maturity.

Scope

For each type of fuels, the following processes will be studied:

• Oxide Fuel
  • Standard PUREX process (as currently practiced at COGEMA/La Hague and BNFL/Sellafield);
  • Extended PUREX process (Pu+Np recovery, minor actinide separation);
  • Advanced PUREX process (including features such as U crystallisation, supercritical CO2 use, carbonate dissolution, etc.);
  • UREX+2 process (aqueous, AFCI programme);
  • PYROX process (pyrometallurgical, AFCI programme);
  • Dimitrovgrad dry process (LWR/FR recycle and FR/FR recycle);
  • Fluoride volatility process ;
  • CRIEPI electrometallurgical processes;
• Coated-Particle Fuel (oxide and oxycarbide)
• TRISO fuel mechanical/chemical process;
• Metallic Fuel
  • Electrometallurgical process;
• Nitride Fuel
  • Electrometallurgical process.

Deliverable

A report on detailed flowsheet studies for each type of fuels will be published.

Related links

Members' working area (requires password)

For more information on this expert group, please contact Yong-Joon CHOI (Tel: +33 1 4524 1091, yongjoon.choi@oecd.org)

For more information on activities managed/supported by the NSC, please contact Claes Nordborg (Claes.Nordborg@oecd.org) Return to the NSC Home Page

Last updated: 23 September 2007