Separation of actinides from high activity wastes (HAW) by solvent extraction Pt. 2

The flow-sheet of a novel process designed to remove actinides from high activity raffinates (HAW) by HDEHP is described. There are two versions of this process. According to the first, the original HAW should be moderately concentrated and has to be denitrated up to a pH of about 2 with formic acid. This first step is followed by the extraction and reextraction of actinides (Pu, Np, Am, Ce). According to the second variation, the first step is the separation of Pu, which is followed by the recuperation of noble metals after a satisfactory denitrification. At the end the trivalent actinides are extracted and reextracted. The most significant steps of these processes have been tested using a simulated HAW solution and batch extraction techniques. (T.F.)