Hydrofluorination Device with 'In Situ' HF Generation.

摘要

The reference pyrochemistry process studied by the DRCP is based on an actinide reductive extraction in fluoride media. At the front end of the process, a hydrofluorination step is needed in order to convert the oxides present in irradiated fuel into fluorides. This hydrofluorination is carried out with HF gas at 350-500°C. Very few experimental facilities, hot cells, or glove-boxes are equipped with operational HF gas lines: the building and commissioning of such HF lines is very complicated and expensive. This experimental device offers an alternative, enabling hydrofluorination of small samples (≈5g) of oxide fission product (FP) elements through a chemical reaction involving "in situ" HF gas generation. A specific gas line would no longer be required, and the hydrofluorination reaction could therefore be carried out in conventional hot cells or glove-boxes. Ten inactive runs were carried out without any particular problem; there were no gas leaks and no temperature control issues. More than seventeen FP samples were tested. The reliability of the hydrofluorination set-up through a chemical reaction involving "in situ" HF gas generation has been demonstrated, and therefore this set-up could be implemented in a hot cell.