Microwave processing in thorium fuel cycle

Thorium fuel cycle requires innovative, remote controlled and maintenance-free technologies due to the presence of 232U and other hard γ-emitting isotopes with its main fissile constituent 233U. Microwave heating, due to interaction - absorption and volumetric in nature is material specific. It has an effect on the process and the quality of the product as well. Use of microwave heating has shown promising outcomes for many processing steps like dissolution, concentration, denitration, calcination, reduction, drying, dewaxing, sintering, incineration, pyrohydrolysis and vitrification in thorium fuel cycle. Microwave applicators can be adapted for use in gloveboxes and hot-cells. This paper presents an overview of the application of microwave heating in thorium based fuel cycle. (author)