Radiation chemistry of actinide ions and process reagents

The radiation chemistry of the actinide elements attracted considerable attention mainly because of its importance in nuclear fuel technology. The principal actinide elements of interest here are uranium and plutonium. Both of these elements are separated from the spent nuclear fuel on the principle of purex process, based on solvent extraction. In this paper the radiation induced redox reactions of uranium and plutonium and the effect of radiation on the extracting behaviour of common organic extractant is discussed alongwith some aspects of photochemistry which appear to have a place in the future process modification for achieving the goal of 99 per cent plutonium recovery. (M.N.)