Electrochemical process for dissolving plutonium dioxide and leaching plutonium from scrap or wastes

Dissolution of plutonium (Pu) from high-fired plutonium dioxide (PuO/sub 2/) and the leaching of Pu from scrap or wastes have often posed difficult process problems. Traditionally, dissolution has been accomplished using 12 M HNO/sub 3/-0.18 M HF at boiling temperatures. This work discusses the development of electrochemical solution of PuO/sub 2/ in compartmented cells. Small amounts of oxidation catalysts are used to carry electrons from the solid PuO/sub 2/ to the anode surface, producing PuO/sub 2//sup 2+/ in solution. PuO/sub 2/ that has been fired at temperatures to 17000C can be dissolved at 250C to concentrations exceeding 400 g Pu/L using the catalyzed electrochemical plutonium oxide dissolution (CEPOD) process. The silver ion is used as the redox catalyst