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Spent nuclear Fuel Treatment Process ME 419/519 Energy Systems & Resources Idaho State University

Spent nuclear Fuel Treatment Process ME 419/519 Energy Systems & Resources Idaho State University. SPENT FUEL TREATMENT. Paul Hunter John Krause R Nathan Renner. INTRODUCTION. 50 years of nuclear powered electrical generation. 2 nd largest source of electricity.

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Spent nuclear Fuel Treatment Process ME 419/519 Energy Systems & Resources Idaho State University

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  1. Spent nuclear Fuel Treatment Process ME 419/519 Energy Systems & Resources Idaho State University

  2. SPENT FUELTREATMENT Paul Hunter John Krause R Nathan Renner

  3. INTRODUCTION • 50 years of nuclear powered electrical generation. 2nd largest source of electricity. • 1000MW plant contains 120 tons of fuel. • 40 tons of fuel replaced per year. • Temporarily stored in pools. • 40,000 tons stored at 131 sites in 39 states.

  4. Temporary storage pool

  5. Problems: • Highly radioactive • Half-life of thousands of years • Potential environmental damage • Difficult to contain • Terrorist threats

  6. Element Chopper • Fuel rod chopper • Performed in Hot Cell

  7. Electrorefiner

  8. Anode basket Separates into three products Uranium and salt Transuranics, fission product, and salt Cladding and fission product

  9. Cathode Processor • Vacuum distilled process • Separates electro-refined salt from uranium • Heats cathode up to about 1200 C • Vaporizes the Salt • Salt condensed and sent to V-Mixer

  10. Casting Furnace • Melts the uranium • Blends the uranium with depleted uranium • Diluted to less than 20% strength of pure uranium

  11. Uranium Product • Cannot be used by terrorists to make weapons • Can be re-used as fuel in other reactors

  12. Induction Furnace • High frequency current • Temp of 1100C to vaporize salt • Increased to 1800 C

  13. Metal Waste Form • Ingot • Placed in shielded containers for storage

  14. V mixer • Mixes remaining salt, transuranic, and fission products. • Temperature of 500 C • Mixed for 15 hrs

  15. Hot Press • Mixture heated to 850C to 900 C • 100 MPa

  16. Ceramic Waste • The ceramic waste form is a zeolite-based, glass-bonded ceramic. • It contains the active metal fission products (alkali, alkaline earth, and rare earth) and transuranics. • It is prepared in a hot isostatic press (HIP). • Zeolites have cages in which salt molecules are contained. Unit Cell of Zeolite A: Na12 [(AlO2)12 (SiO2)12]

  17. Ceramic Waste Form • Low solubility • Placed into container and welded shut

  18. Conclusion • Electrometallurgical treatment results in three waste forms. • Metal • Ceramic – compact, stable form suitable for long term storage. • Uranium – can be used to refuel other reactors.

  19. Any Questions?

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