374a Reprocessing Spent Nuclear Fuel Using Aqueous Carbonate-Peroxide Solutions

George S. Goff, Lia F. Brodnax, Michael R. Cisneros, and Wolfgang Runde. Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545

As an alternative to the traditional PUREX/UREX process for recycling spent nuclear fuel (SNF), a new process is being developed that utilizes hydrogen peroxide to dissolve SNF in aqueous carbonate solutions. Some of the primary benefits of the new peroxide promoted carbonate process include a smaller footprint, fewer separations steps, elimination of hazardous organic waste, and enhanced proliferation resistance by elimination of the pure plutonium stream produced in the PUREX/UREX process. This presentation will highlight our recent advances in developing an alkaline-based alternative for SNF reprocessing, including recent results involving dissolution rates, actinide partitioning, and separation factors for key short-lived fission products.