ION FLUIDS USED AS SOLVENTS Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: regenerating irradiated fuel and dissolving metals. SUBSTANCE: metal is held at oxidation level below its maximum. Ion fluid enters in reaction with metal and oxidizes the latter to higher oxidation level. Metal may be first held in the form of compound. Metal is irradiated nuclear fuel with UO₂ and/or PuO₂ and decomposition products in its composition. Ion fluid is, essentially, nitrate base fluid such as pyridine or substituted imidazole nitrate. It includes Brenstead or Franklin acid for raising oxidizing ability of nitrate. Acids suited for the purpose are HNO₃, H₂SO₄, and [NO⁺]. EFFECT: advanced method for dissolving all kinds of fuel. 18 cl, 6 tbl, 6 ex