SPECIFIC FEATURES OF SEPARATION OF PLUTONIUM AND NEPTUNIUM IN PROCESSING OF SPENT NUCLEAR-FUEL AT THE RT-1 COMPLEX

A study was made of the effect of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid ( DTPA) in the first extraction cycle of recovery of spent nuclear fuel on subsequent refining of plutonium and neptunium at the RT-I complex. The distribution coefficients of plutonium and neptunium were studied at decreasing content of bivalent iron in solutions to be reprocessed . It was shown that technetium affects significantly the valence state of the elements. In preparation of the plutonium and neptunium reextr act containing DTPA for extraction, addition of hydrazine in the amoun t of approximately 20 g 1(-1) decreases the iron concentration in the raffinate by a factor of 5 and hence facilitates its subsequent utiliz ation.