Simulation of the neptunium behavior during the first solvent extraction cycle in the PUREX process

• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-012-2297-6
• Publication Date: 2012-10-24T07:22:04Z
• Authors: Hu Zhang; Guo-an Ye; Li Li; Wei-fang Zheng; Hai-feng Cong; Song-tao Xiao; He Yang; Tian Lan
• Keywords: Neptunium; PUREX; Nitric acid; Nuclear reprocessing

In order to co-recycle neptunium, uranium and plutonium using the PUREX process, numerical simulations were used to investigate the behaviors of neptunium in the first solvent extraction cycle. Counter-current extraction experiments using a miniature mixer-settler were performed to verify the simulation. Calculated results based on experiments show that the concentrations of nitric and nitrous acid, saturation of uranium, flow ratio and residence time have important effects on the pathway of neptunium, and accumulation of neptunium may appear with the presence of uranium and plutonium.