Towards a DIAMEX process using high active concentrate. Production of genuine solutions

The efficiency of Minor Actinides (MA) recovery in the DIAMEX process has already been demonstrated using High Active Raffinate (HAR). The next step aims at the demonstration of reprocessing from High Active Concentrate (HAC) as feed, in view of an industrial application. The volume reduction would reduce the size of the installation to be used and thereby the costs of the process. The first step towards the demonstration of a DIAMEX process using HAC is the production of the genuine solutions. In the hot cell facility of ITU (Institute for Transuranium Elements), a HAR solution has been prepared, from small scale PUREX reprocessing of MOX fuel, and successfully subjected to a concentration/denitration process to obtain HAC. A final concentration factor (CF) of about 10 and an acidity of 4 M were reached. In the experiment a precipitate mainly composed of Sr, Zr, Mo, Sn and Ba was formed. MA precipitation was not significant (< 0.001%).