Process for the treatment of nuclear targets and/or fuels based on metallic aluminium by tetramethylammonium hydroxide solutions

摘要

A process for the processing of nuclear targets and/or fuels based on metallic aluminium involves dissolving with the aid of aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) solutions. Dissolving can consist of a total dissolving in a single stage of the core and the can of the nuclear fuel by TMAOH or a decanning of the can by TMAOH, followed by a nitric dissolving of the core. The use of TMAOH eliminates the disadvantages associated with dissolving in a concentrated nitric or sodium medium and decanning with soda and in particular permits the easy vitrification of the effluents produced by the process.