Futuristic back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle with the partitioning of minor actinides

For future back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle, the partitioning of minor actinides: Np, Am and Cm, followed by their transmutation will minimize importantly the radiotoxicity of nuclear glass waste. In this paper, the research done in France and in Europe will be presented: (i) partitioning of Np by modified PUREX process, (ii) partitioning of Am and Cm by the DIAMEX and SANEX hydrometallurgical processes. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.