Application of the medec process to treat fermi-1 sodium bonded spent nuclear fuel.

Argonne National Laboratory is currently investigating the feasibility of and developing a life-cycle cost estimate for the treatment and disposal of 34 metric tons of sodium-bonded Fermi-1 blanket fuel using the Melt Drain Evaporate Carbonate (MEDEC) process. The scope of this work includes fuel characterization and specification, dose rate calculations, flow sheet development, process demonstration tests using unirradiated and irradiated fuel, equipment layouts in two candidate facilities, development of dynamic process models, and preparation of a low-uncertainty life-cycle cost estimate. A description of the process flow sheet, facility operations, and the results of the unirradiated testing activities are presented. A brief description of irradiated testing activities that are currently underway is also given.