The advanced aqueous reprocessing process reduces the amount of aqueous and organic solutions processed in the following extraction/stripping process by the partial separation of uranium (U). Co-extraction and co-stripping of U, neptunium (Np) and plutonium (Pu) eliminate the need for separate partitioning of Pu and purification of U and Pu. Moreover, these fuel products with low decontamination will aid in proliferation resistance.
For adjustment of Pu/(U+PU) ratio, a simplified pelletizing process replaces powder mixing with mixing of solutions: U, U/Pu and minor actinides (MA) solutions. Lubricant-free pelletization and remote fuel fabrication in a cell for producing low-decontamination fuel assemblies and for recycling MA are adopted.