Mobile Systems for Fluoride Reprocessing of Spent Nuclear Fuel

Abstract

Experts at the National Research Center – Kurchatov Institute have proposed compact reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel from the naval fleet as well as NPPs close to the Arctic coast, directly at the site of offloading, on the basis of an innovative, experimentally verified, fluoride-distillation technology. They propose developing a mobile system consisting of a seagoing carrier (vessel with small displacement) or terrestrial carrier (railroad platform) on which is mounted a compact process line consisting of fluorination and purification apparatus as well as auxiliary setups. There are no liquid wastes in the fluoride processes; solid wastes are to be removed, as they are formed, from the mobile system into special sites in waste locations of the Arctic coast for long-term dry storage in concrete containers.