Effect of high overall solid fraction of cerium oxalate particles on sedimentation behavior in a vertical batch settler

Nuclear spent fuel reprocessing primarily aims at recovery of plutonium and uranium, which can be reused in nuclear reactors to maximize the energy utilization. In reprocessing plants based on PUREX process, the decontaminated plutonium nitrate solution is converted to PuO₂ powder by reconversion where plutonium oxalate precipitates followed by decantation/sedimentation, filtration, and calcination. The reconversion process is performed in batch mode at present, which has limitations on the production capacity and requires more frequent operator intervention. However, developing a continuous process system can overcome these limitations. Solid-liquid disengagement by sedimentation is one of the steps in the process; hence the detailed study in this regard is required for the development of continuous solid-liquid separation equipment