Rafael Arutiunian, Deputy Director of Nuclear Safety Institute

– Uranium hexafluoride processing technology is tested, relevant experience is available

JSC Production Association “Electrochemical Plant” (Krasnoyarsk region, 100% subsidiary of Atomenergoprom OJSC) is completing the testing and commissioning of Russia’s first commercial depleted uranium hexafluoride processing system. The “W-ECP” system is based on French technology and is being built by Techsnabexport OJSC in cooperation with AREVA NC (former COGEMA) and SGN (France). This is Russia’s first and the world’s third system for processing depleted uranium hexafluoride into uranium oxide concentrate, which is much safer to store. Uranium is defluorinated into a less hazardous matter. Uranium oxide concentrate is a matter whose chemical properties are close to the natural state of uranium ore. It is more stable and easier in transportation. It can be stored for a long time and may be used by new generations of fast-breeder reactors. The other products can be used by both nuclear and non-nuclear companies. The full capacity of the system is 10,000 tons of depleted uranium hexafluoride a year.

Uranium hexafluoride is not radioactive: it has only chemical influence on the environment. Its processing requires only industrial safety. The international practice of use of uranium hexafluoride mentions no single incident related to its storage or transportation. Uranium hexafluoride processing technology is tested and we know how to effectively use it. Due to its efficiency and safety this technology has become commercially profitable.

The project of Electrochemical Plant is quite interesting: there are just three such systems in the world. Depleted uranium hexafluoride is stored at open sites in steel containers under the control of highly qualified specialists. This technology has been successfully used for 40 years already and is quite safe. However, since uranium hexafluoride is a chemically active matter, containers may undergo corrosion.

They may break down only in case of force majeure. The system that is being built at Electrochemical Plant is supposed to defluorinate uranium and to process it into a chemically safer matter.