Effect of CsNO₃ on Neodymium (Nd) and Cesium (Cs) Recovery in Nuclear Fuel Using Precipitation Method

Abstract

The addition of CsNO3 against Nd and Cs recovery in nuclear fuel using the precipitation method has been carried out. Precipitation methods have been carried out by previous researchers to separate cesium in U3Si2/Al and UMo/Al nuclear fuels. The recovery of cesium in the nuclear fuel obtained was more than 95%. After got optimal recovery for Cs separation, in this research would use the method for Nd separation. Beside the Cs isotope, the Nd isotope was the result of fission product after the radiation process of nuclear fuel in nuclear reactor. Both isotopes were used as burn-up indicators. To obtain optimal Nd recovery, in the separation process using the precipitation method, weight various CsNO3 are added. CsNO3 as a carrier in this method. The nuclear fuel solution containing Nd was added 100, 200, 400, 600 and 1000 mg of CsNO3. Then the mixed solution was added 4 mL of HClO4 and cooled at 0oC using an ice bath for 1 hour. A precipitate would form after cooling process for 1 hour. The liquid phase was separated from the solid phase. Then Nd and Cs in the liquid phase were analyzed using XRF. The analysis results of the Nd content in the liquid phase showed that the optimal recovery was 94.21% with the addition of 200 mg of CsNO3. While most of the Cs is in the solid phase with recovery greater than 99% on the addition of CsNO3 between 100-1000 mg.