Protactinium sepn. from reprocessed nuclear fuel - using column of optimum length for equilibrium operation

摘要

A sorption column for the sepgn. of protactinium from a nuclear fuel solution has its length (L) defined by the equation (I) In the equation, alpha = (lambda/v)K; B = (lambda/v) + (lambda Q p/v)K; K (cm3/gPa) = sorption constant of sorbent; lambda (s-1) = decay constant of Pa-233; v (cm/s) = mean flow speed of nuclear fuel soln.; Q (gPa/gSO) = max. charge of sorbent; p (g/cm3) = bulk density of sorbent; = porosity factor of sorbent; co (g/cm3) = conc. of Pa-233 in the nuclear fuel soln. when it enters the sorption column; and ce (g/cm3) = concn. of Pa-233 in the nuclear fuel soln. when it leaves the sorption column. Pref. the sorption column is cooled throughout its length. Used for the removal of proctactinium in the processing or reprocessing of nuclear fuels which contain thiorium. The use of a column of the above-defined dimensions enables improved economy to be attained. The nuclear fuel soln. passing through the sorption column is enriched per unit time with the same quantity of U-233 as the quantity of Pa-233 removed from it.