Reactor graphite processing in low-temperature gas-discharge plasma

Graphite elements of nuclear power plants accumulate in time a small amount of uranium, radionuclide conversion elements, as well as fission products, which creates additional difficulties in the utilization of graphite masonry. We proposed a new method of processing, based on high-temperature separation in a nitrogen atmosphere. The processing consists in heating the radioactive graphite in an inert nitrogen atmosphere to a temperature of 2873 K, which creates the necessary conditions for the separation of radionuclides from carbon. (paper)