Chen, Hongyan and Taylor, Robin J. and Jobson, Megan and Woodhead, David and Boxall, Colin and Masters, Andrew and Edwards, Scott (2017) Simulation of Neptunium Extraction in an Advanced PUREX Process — Model Improvement. Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange, 35 (1). pp. 1-18. ISSN 0736-6299
Chen_improvements_of_Np_extraction_simulation_text_tables_2016_12_13_submit.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (1MB)
Chen_improvements_of_Np_extraction_simulation_figures_2016_12_13_submit.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (603kB)
Abstract
Routing neptunium to a single product in spent nuclear fuel reprocessing is a significant challenge. In this work, we have further improved the simulation of neptunium extraction in an advanced PUREX flowsheet by applying a revised model of the Np(V)-Np(VI) redox reaction kinetics, a new nitric acid radiolysis model and by evaluating various models for the nitrous acid distribution coefficient. The Np disproportionation reaction is shown to have a negligible effect. The models are validated against published ‘cold test’ experimental results; the ‘hot test’ simulation suggests high neptunium radiolysis could help to achieve high recoveries using this flowsheet.