Dissolution of nuclear fuel samples for analytical purposes. II

The most frequent method of dissolving nuclear fuels samples is in mineral acids or in acid mixtures. Various variants of the method may be used for easily or low soluble samples. Another variant is the use of a mixture of a mineral acid and salt. Melting methods are used for dissolving samples of nuclear fuels sintered at high temperatures and for refractory materials. The sealed tube method is suitable for refractory nuclear materials and for low soluble materials. They are dissolved in a sealed quartz tube at temperatures of 200 to 300 degC and a pressure of 300 MPa. The method is being investigated of dissolving nuclear fuels by the reaction of solid matter and gas. Experimental equipment and apparatuses used for the implementation of the described methods of dissolving nuclear fuels are briefly described. (M.D.)