Dry reprocessing MOX granules: DMOXG

In DMOXG (Dry reprocessing of Mixed-OXide Granule), spent fuels are to be dissolved in molten salt (NaCl-2CsCl, 650degC) and to be electrolysed to eliminate and recover noble FP metals before the main process of fuel treatment. The U and Pu, after oxidized by chlorine and oxygen gas, will be recovered as oxides to fabricate MOX fuels. Compared to Purex process which has been adopted in Japan as a first generation of reprocessing plant, DMOXG process as a next generation will be simple and compact in design with an expected lower cost of construction. This will be favorable to Japan as a seismically active country. The paper pursues (1) compact facility, (2) reduction of low level wastes, (3) the same level of safety as Purex process and compares the relevant important techniques which appear in future development with already established techniques in Purex process. (S. Ohno)