Physical Sciences Directorate

Book Highlights Scientific Progress in Solvent Extraction Related to Nuclear Fuel Recycle

Volume 19 of the book series Ion Exchange and Solvent Extraction, A Series of Advances, edited by Bruce A. Moyer, was published by Taylor and Francis in August 2009. This book is significant in collecting 11 definitive reviews on the state of the science of solvent extraction as related to recycle of used (formerly called “spent” in the US) nuclear fuel. Toward the vision of proliferation-free nuclear energy in which little or no waste is stored or released into the environment and all potential energy values in spent nuclear fuel are recycled, this book offers insight from world leaders on the cutting edge of nuclear research.

Capturing the current scientific progress as it exists today and looking ahead to potential developments, the book examines

  • the overall state of solvent extraction in reprocessing
  • new molecules for increased selectivity and performance
  • calixarenes as versatile extractants for radionuclide extraction
  • methods for predicting extractant properties
  • actinide-lanthanide group separation
  • simultaneous extraction of radionuclides by mixing extractants
  • the cause and nature of third-phase formation
  • the effects of radiation on the solvent and its performance
  • analytical techniques for measuring process concentrations
  • new centrifugal contractors for more efficient processing
  • new chemistry using novel media

One of the impediments to acceptance of nuclear energy in the past half century has been the question of the long-term toxicity of the used nuclear fuel. This volume shows that a solid scientific foundation exists to solve this enduring problem.

Work performed by Bruce A. Moyer, Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory under the auspices of the program ERKCC08 “Principles of Chemical Recognition and Transport in Extractive Separations.” The book was published in August 2009 as Volume 19 of the Taylor and Francis book series Ion Exchange and Solvent Extraction, A Series of Advances.