Present status of reprocessing technology, basic outlines of large reprocessing plants

In order to provide adequate capacity for reprocessing nuclear fuels and to utilize British, French and German technological experience in this key step in the fuel cycle, a joint company, United Reprocessors GmbH, has been formed. The process and the processing equipment have evolved from the military and commercial program in England and France and the pilot plant program at Karlsruhe, Germany. The total capacity of 4000 tons/yr will consist of three plants to be constructed one in each country. An average of 1200tons/yr during the first ten years starting in 1985 should be available to nations outside Europe. The processes include: pond storage of elements, head-end fuel chopping and dissolving, maturely developed solvent extraction steps with efficient contractors, conversion of liquid wastes to vitrified solids and eventual storage in salt deposits or other stable geological formations. Features of the processes and facilities in each country are summarized in an appendix. (author)