Method of decontaminating and treating reactor zirconium
Author: A.I. Egorov, B.Ya. Galkin, R.I. Lyubets, V.Ya Mishin, V.K. Isupov, G.N. Popova
Reference: Patent, 10.07.2000, Gatchina patent holder: B.P. Konstantinov Institute of nuclear physics, St. Petersburg RAS, V.G. Khlopin Radium Institute
Keywords: zirconium, treatment, extraction, reactor
Abstract: The invention relates to retrieving of zirconium from shell of fuel elements and other parts, exposed to zirconium, of a nuclear reactor, providing also a method of treatment of zirconium before its reuse. The Method includes operations of dissolving alloy, zirconium extraction into an organic solvent, and re-extraction of the purified zirconium and its precipitation from aqueous phase. The operation is conducted under temperature of 100~130℃. The components of the solution are the following: HNO3: 300-800kg/m3, K2Zr (Hf) F6: 5-32 kg/m3, water.