Operative experience in first campaign for reprocessing of uranium-thorium Elk-River fuel elements

The main characteristics which differentiates the ITREC pilot plant from the other reprocessing plants are summarized. The report describes: a brief history of the Uranium-Thorium Cycle Program developed in Italy since 1960; the results obtained during the cold tests in the Remote Refabrication Cell until 1974, year in which these activities have been stopped; the operating experience in the Campaign for reprocessing of 20 Uranium-Thorium Elk-River irradiated fuel elements. In particular the results of the following operations are described: dismantling fuel elements and pool water treatment, chopping, dissolution, extraction in a Thorex acid-deficient flow-sheet. Some works of maintenance and modification during hot operations (dismantling machine, replacement of the high level waste evaporators) are also presented. The planned utilization of the ITREC plant is indicated. (author)