METHOD FOR REPROCESSING IRRADIATED NUCLEAR FUEL

摘要

The method concerns processing irradiated (spent) nuclear fuel (SNF), is primarily aimed at isolating and trapping tritium, and can be used in nuclear power industry for treating SNF. This method provides for the breakage of SNF elements comprising uranium dioxide into fragmented reaction mass and a two-phase voloxidation of the reaction mass using gas-air mixture. The first phase is carried out at 400-650°C in the presence of air and carbon dioxide. The second phase is carried out at 350-450°C using air-vapor mixture. Both phases are carried out at a continuous or periodic mechanical activation of the reaction mass. In the course of the voloxidation, the gas flow rate provides for 10-50-fold change of the reaction chamber gas volume per hour, and before being introduced into the reaction chamber, the gas is heated up to the chamber temperature at the respective phase.