Conversion of uranium dioxide and real spent nuclear fuel into nitrates

Abstract

Conversion of UO2 into uranyl nitrate in liquid N2O4 in the presence of water was studied. The completeness of conversion of oxides in spent nuclear fuel (SNF) into nitrates is determined by the temperature and reagent ratio. The conversion of uranium oxides is complete in 2–6 h at 70–120°C and molar ratio [UO2]: [N2O4]: [H2O] = 1: (2–4): (6–8). The conversion of real oxide SNF (RBMK, 14–20 GW day/t U) in a mixture of liquid CO2 and NO2 was carried out.