METHOD OF CERAMIC NUCLEAR FUEL RECOVERY FROM FUEL ELEMENTS AND FUEL ASSEMBLIES Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: pyrometallurgical methods of reprocessing of spent fuel, mainly, fuel based on uranium and plutonium. SUBSTANCE: method includes melting of metal structural materials, particularly, fuel elements and fuel, assemblies in inert atmosphere and separation of melt from solid fuel. Melting is carried out in crucible of melting furnace with zinc melt. Process temperature is 600-1200 C. Zinc content in melt is up to 50-98 mas.%. After separation, melt is cooled to 430-1000 C. Upper layer of cooled melt is discharged and returned to process cycle. Melt after separation from solid fuel is filtered, and solid fuel is washed with zinc melt. Washing zinc melt after separation from solid fuel is filtered and directed for recovery of ceramic nuclear fuel. Process of recovery of ceramic nuclear fuel and melt cooling are carried out in vacuum induction furnaces with crucibles transparent for electromagnetic field. Frequency of induction currents is 50-250000 Hz. EFFECT: exclusion of operations involved in disassembly of fuel assemblies, reduction of multi-stage and labor input in process, reduction of volumes of radioactive metal wastes, dust and aerosols. 8 cl, 2 ex