Conceptual Design of a Pilot-Scale Pyroprocessing Facility

Modeling of Pyroprocessing Hot Cell for Process Monitoring Evaluation

“…We developed the process cell utilizing information available from previous efforts in facility development and unit operations design using openly available sources. Specifically for determining the dimensions and layout of the process cell, information was taken from the efforts in the development of a pilot-scale pyroprocessing facility developed by the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and commercial partner Merrick & Company [2]. In addition, patent documents and past reports from the fuel conditioning facility (FCF) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) were studied and applied.…”

“…The modeling in MCNP of the electrorefiner is based off of several assumptions for both the dimensions of the electrorefiner as well as the composition of the salt bath. The design of the facility and with it the electrorefiner is based off a pilot-scale facility developed by ANL and commercial partner Merrick & Company [2]. The electrorefiner itself is based primarily off the design developed at ANL [3].…”

“…To perform this task, we were required to develop models of the pyroprocessing process cell and unit operations and generate source terms for various different times in the process. The data for the pyroprocessing materials came from SNL's Safeguards and Security Process Model (SSPM) as part of MPACT's advanced integration mission [2]. This report will discuss the development of the pyroprocessing process cell and unit operations models in MCNP as well as various simulations to determine the applicability of the HDND for process monitoring efforts in the hot cell.…”

“…The total vessel height is 3.21 meters as to keep the same ratio of height of crucible to vessel as in the FCF facility. Total radii of the inner and outer chambers were determined by inspecting dimensions from the ANL report as was done for the electrorefiner dimensions[2]. This came to an inner chamber radius of 42.77 centimeters and an outer chamber radius of 75 centimeters.…”

“…Dimensions of Modeled Electrorefiner as part of the MPACT campaign[2]. Data provided by SNL gave a metal composition in the salt.…”