The modern purex process and its analytical requirements

Nowadays the PUREX process is the sole accepted reprocessing technique. Its boundary conditions change all the time: former metallic low burnup fuels have been replaced by present ceramic oxide fuels with high burnups, and tomorrow fast breeder fuels with high plutonium contents will have to be processed. In addition, more and more restrictive conditions are being imposed upon waste treatment and more and more stringent safety regulations are being felt. Within these constraints this report presents a survey of the results of recent developments in process technology and gives some reference to the importance of process analytical statements with respect to plant operation. Moreover, recommendations are made for the installation and design of analytical laboratories and some experiences are communicated in the field of process analytical chemistry.