Regenerated Uranium Separation in Matched Abundance Ratio Cascade with Additional Product Flow

Abstract

This paper addresses known methods used to purify regenerated uranium in single and double cascades. A new method for separating regenerated uranium has been developed that enables a significant reduction of the concentration of 232,234U in the additional product flow. Matched abundance ratio cascades (M∗-cascades) with different key components and additional product flow are used in the new method. Main product flow of the M∗-cascade contains low enriched regenerated uranium. It can be used for reactor fuel production. Purified product can be enriched in the ordinary cascade in compliance with the requirements of ASTM C 996-10 set for isotopes 232,234U in low enriched commercial uranium, which is usually produced from the natural one. Computer experiment based on the new method has been performed. The experiment shows that the best cascade with the maximum flow of the enriched purified product is M∗-cascade with key components 232,236U. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.