Clarification of solutions before the extractive reprocessing of the fuel elements of water-moderated water-cooled power reactors

Abstract

1. Solutions of fuel elements for water-moderated water-cooled power reactors filter poorly in view of the high degree of dispersion of the precipitate (predominantly particles of graphite with a size down to 6 μ). Acceptable mean clarification rates are attained with a combined treatment of the solution with a flocculant (gelatin) and an auxiliary filter aid (perlite). It is advisable to use classified perlite. 2. Due to the large compressibility of the precipitate, the filtration rate depends only weakly on the pressure (3 kg/cm2 is sufficient). 3. A physical model of the process has been developed, which permits describing the acceleration of the process under the action of an auxiliary filter aid. 4. Irradiation practically does not change the filtration characteristics of the solutions.