Group Hexavalent Actinide Separations: A New Approach to Used Nuclear Fuel Recycling

Center for Nuclear Security Science and Policy Initiatives

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station

Group Hexavalent Actinide Separations: A New Approach to Used Nuclear Fuel Recycling

Abstract:

This work demonstrates the first ever cocrystallization of Am(VI) with UO2(NO3)2·6H2O, a group cocrystallization of Np(VI)−Am(VI) with UO2(NO3)2·6H2O, a separation of An(VI) species from An(III) species, and a group separation of An(VI) from key fission products. This result opens the door to a new paradigm of nuclear fuel recycling, in which the bulk of the U, Np, Pu, and Am can all be removed from dissolved used nuclear fuel together without any organic solvent waste being generated.

Associated Publications:

  1. A. Wilcox, "The Kinetic and Thermodynamic Properties of the Dissolution of Sodium Bimsuthate", M.S. Thesis, Nuclear Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (2018).

  2. E. Kitcher, J. Burns, "Criticality concerns of a group actinide co-crystallization separations approach to used nuclear fuel recycling", Annals of Nuclear Energy, 115 (2018).

  3. J.D. Burns, B.A. Moyer, "Uranyl nitrate hexahydrate solubility in nitric acid and its crystallization selectivity in the presence of nitrate salts", Journal of Cleaner Production, 172 (2018).

  4. A.J. Wilcox, B.A. Moyer, J.D. Burns, "A New Group Crystallization Approach in Used Nuclear Fuel Recycling: A Look at Fission Product Behaviors", 2017 ANS Summer Meeting and Nuclear Technology Expo, San Francisco, CA, June 11-15, 2017.

  5. Jonathan D. Burns, Bruce A. Moyer, "Co-Crystallization of AnO22+ with UO2(NO3)2•6H2O: Next Steps", Sigma Team for Advanced Actinide Recycle Research Meeting, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, May 24, 2017.

  6. Jonathan D. Burns, Andrew J. Wilcox, Bruce A. Moyer, "Hexavalent Actinide Co-Crystallization: A Closer Look at the Behavior of the Fission Products", 41st Actinide Separation Conference, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, May 23-25, 2017.

  7. Andrew J. Wilcox, Bruce A. Moyer, Jonathan D. Burns, "Behavior of Sodium Bismuthate as an Oxidizing Agent for a Hexavalent Actinide Co-Crystallization Process", 41st Actinide Separation Conference, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, May 23-25, 2017.

  8. J. D. Burns, B. A. Moyer, "Actinyl Group Precipitation", Materials Recovery & Waste Forms Development Campaign Working Group Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, United States, 28-30 March 2017.

  9. B. Moyer, J.D. Burns, "Actinyl Co-Crystallization", DOE-JAEA Bilateral Advanced Separations Working Group Meeting, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 22-24 March 2017.

  10. J.D. Burns, B.A. Moyer, "Group Hexavalent Actinide Separations: A New Approach to Used Nuclear Fuel Recycling", Inorganic Chemistry, 55, 17 (2016).

  11. J.D. Burns, B.A. Moyer, "FY16 progress report on co-crystallization", Oak Ridge National Laboratory Report FCRD-MRWFD-2016-0003111 (2016).

  12. B.A. Moyer, J.D. Burns, "Co-crystallization of hexavalent actinide nitrates: Group actinide separation of uranium through americium", 5th International ATALANTE Conference on Nuclear Chemistry for Sustainable Fuel Cycles, Montpellier, France, 5-10 June 2016.

  13. J.D. Burns, B.A. Moyer, "Co-Crystallization of AnO22+ with UO2(NO3)2•6H2O: What’s Next", Sigma Team for Advanced Actinide Recycle Research Meeting, San Diego, CA, 25 May 2016.

  14. J.D. Burns, B.A. Moyer, "Actinyl group precipitation", Materials Recovery & Waste Forms Development Campaign Working Group Meeting, Richland, WA, United States, 22-24 March 2016.