VANADIUM RECYCLING

Very stringent purity specifications must be applied to low activation vanadium alloys, in order to meet recycling goals requiring low resid ual dose rates after 50-100 years. Following a suitable cooling period after their use, the vanadium alloy components could be melted in a c ontrolled atmosphere to remove volatile radioisotopes. The aim of the melting and decontamination process will be the achievement of dose ci tes low enough for ''hands-on'' refabrication of new reactor component s from the reclaimed metal. The processes required to permit hands-on recycling appear to be technically feasible, and demonstration experim ents are recommended.