Zinc distillation process proliferation-resistant

Six processes that are representative of those initially selected for evaluation in the PDPM Program are summarized below. Several of these processes are described in separate papers that are included in this Actinide Separations Symposium. A seventh process, the Zinc Distillation Process is described in greater detail. This process was selected as a reference process to meet the criteria for a proliferation-resistant exportable technology. 

Zinc Distillation Process ( 3, 4 ). A zinc distillation process was selected as a reference pyrochemical process that would have a sufficient degree of proliferation resistance that it could be used by nonweapons nations to reprocess spent fuel without significantly increasing their weapons production capability. The process has the inherent proliferation-resistant advantages of being a low decontamination process with limited plutonium enrichment in uranium-plutonium-zinc mixtures. The process chemistry flow sheet for this process is shown in Figure 1. 

The solid (U,Pu)2Zni7 intermetallic compound, containing FP-3 and selective FP-4 fission products for proliferation resistance is vacuum distilled to remove the zinc, which is recycled. The uranium/plutonium concentrate is injection cast into rods suitable as feed to the refabrication process. 

Miles, K. M., Argonne National Laboratory, "The Pyrocivex Processes are Proliferation Resistant Pyrochemical Reprocessing Methods such as the Zinc Distillation or Modified Salt Transport Process," Private Communication, 1979. 

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