Overview of development program for engineering scale extraction chromatography MA(III) recovery system

Abstract

Japan Atomic Energy Agency is developing extraction chromatography technology to recover MA(III) from spent nuclear fuel. Developments in the extraction chromatography system especially focusing on safety and stable operation are required for practical application of the technology. This paper discusses the main tasks that have to be challenged preferentially based on achievements obtained by previous studies and potential MA(III) recovery process flow. For the safety assessment, removal of fine particles, optimization in adsorbent for a reduction in pressure drop of the column, degradation behavior of the adsorbents, and recycling of the adsorbents are topics for development. Enhancement in resistance against radiation and acid of material in pump and development of automated operation system is required to maintain product quality during long time operation. Those studies are carried out simultaneously in a research project of 2019-2024, and new technologies such as a filter with porous media, porous adsorbents for low-pressure drop column, used adsorbent recycling, radiation resistant pump, and automated valve switching system using online analysis are developed in this project. A demonstration of the total system with a large-scale apparatus will be carried out at the end of the project.

Keywords

• extraction chromatography
• minor actinide recovery
• engineering scale system
• safety assessment
• stable operation