Development of a Pilot-Scale Facility for Melt-Dilute Treatment of Spent Nuclear Fuel

Savannah River Technology Center (SRTC) developed the melt-dilute process for treating spent fuel. Using laboratory concepts, SRTC designed and constructed a pilot-scale facility for processing radioactive fuel. Start-up testing of the facility confirmed cell operations and remote handling of fuel assemblies. In early 2002, the DOE decided to shut down the L-Area facility at SRS prior to melting any irradiated fuel. The modular facility is now in cold stand-by. This paper discusses the design and testing of the pilot-scale facility.