Partitioning test facility constructed in Nucef

Partitioning Test Facility was constructed in NUCEF (Nuclear Fuel Cycle Safety Engineering Research Facility) at JAERI, Tokai, in order to demonstrate the 4-group partitioning process developed in JAERI using real high-level liquid waste (HLLW). The present paper shows the purpose of the facility, the equipments in the facility and the preliminary results of the partitioning tests with simulated HLLW. In the partitioning facility, 2 to 20 L of HLLW (5000 Ci at maximum) can be treated per experiment. Main components in the facility are a vessel for denitration, a filter unit, extractors (two 16-stage mixer-settler units), adsorption columns and the related equipments. Partitioning tests with simulated HLLW are now in progress. The results will be compared with those of the tests with real HLLW. In the latest test, lanthanides were almost completely extracted with DIDPA and well back-extracted with 4 M HNO3. (authors)