Photochemical technique for reduction of uranium and subsequently plutonium in the Purex process

A photochemical modification of the Purex process is described in which a purified side stream of UO/sub 2//sup + +/ ion is reduced to U/sup +4/ outside the radioactive area of the reprocessing plant. The U/sup +4/ is then cycled back to step 2 of the Purex process to reduce the plutonium and effect separation within the partitioning column. This process is shown to be very energy efficient and compatible with existing conventional lamp technology. Preliminary cost estimates of the energy requirements for photon production are essentially negligible. Conceptual systems and photochemical reactor designs are presented. Potential benefits of this system are discussed.