LITHIUM REPROCESSING TECHNOLOGY FOR CERAMIC BREEDERS

Lithium ceramics have been receiving considerable attention as tritium breeding materials for fusion reactors. Reprocessing technology devel opment for these materials is proposed to recover lithium, as an effec tive use of resources and to remove radioactive isotopes. Four potenti al ceramic breeders (Li2O, LiAlO2, Li2ZrO3 and Li4SiO4) were prepared in order to estimate their dissolution properties in water and various acids (HCl, HNO3, H2SO4, HF and aqua regia). The dissolution rates we re determined by comparing the weight of the residue with that of the starting powder (the weight method). Recovery properties of lithium we re examined by the precipitation method.