METHOD OF RECOVERY OF SECONDARY PLATINUM WITH RADIOACTIVE PLUTONIUM CONTAMINATION Russian patent published in 2014 - IPC G21F9/28 

FIELD: process engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to processing of radioactive wastes and can be used for cleaning of secondary platinum with radioactive plutonium contamination. Proposed method comprises heating of secondary platinum scrap contaminated with plutonium over its entire volume and with metallic impurities in surface layer in amount larger than that of plutonium. Prior to scrap heating, impurities are removed by hydrometallurgy processes, not destructing the platinum surface. Scrap is heated to its fusion with formation of radioactive condensed plutonium oxide and subjected to inductive melting of the platinum to its separation from plutonium oxide. Melting is carried out in the presence of fluxing additives with the formation of melt and slag containing plutonium oxide at melt heel area-to-melt volume ratio of 0.20-0.50, electromagnetic field frequency of 20-66 kHz and air blowing to melt surface at 2049-2073 K for 1.0-1.3 h. Then, slag is removed from platinum.

EFFECT: facilitated plutonium oxide formation, preservation of platinum.

7 cl, 1 tbl