FIELD: decontaminating radioactive waste.
SUBSTANCE: proposed method for recovering spent fuel extracted from nuclear reactor includes separation of spent fuel into components containing first component that incorporates one fissionable isotope and second component incorporating one non-fissionable isotope of transuranium element. First and second fissioned components are introduced into reactor and critical self-sustaining fission reaction is maintained within reactor. Method for transforming non-fissionable transuranium elements includes initiation of critical self-sustaining fission reaction for producing first set of fast neutrons. The latter is moderated to produce first set of thermal neutrons; first part of non-fissionable transuranium elements is transformed by means of first set of thermal neutrons. Proposed system for separating spent fuel extracted from reactor has means for separating spent fuel into components, first reactor for holding first and second separated components in the course of critical self-sustaining fission reaction, means for separating first reacted component into fractions, second reactor for disposing second reacted component, and splitting target.
EFFECT: enhanced quantity of stable isotopes produced upon recovery.
21 cl, 10 dwg
