Partitioning

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When using nuclear energy , spent fuel elements and radioactive waste with long-lived radionuclides are produced . A conceivable strategy for disposal is to convert these nuclides into shorter-lived nuclides by bombarding them with neutrons or other particles ( transmutation ) in order to have to store as few of these long-lived radionuclides as possible in repositories. For this purpose, the nuclides to be converted must first be separated. This is known in technical jargon as partitioning . Both steps together are known in specialist circles under the term "Partitioning & Transmutation" (P&T).

The primary purpose of partitioning is to limit the absorption of neutrons in other components of the matter to be bombarded (target), as otherwise further long-lived nuclides could be produced there. It also helps to minimize the time required to transmutate the target nuclides.

In applying P&T to the long-lived components of spent fuel , some kind of reprocessing step must be taken first . The technology to be used does not necessarily have to be the conventional PUREX process . For example, plutonium could also be separated and transmuted together with the lower actinides .

The actual partitioning then has to be applied to the resulting highly radioactive solution in order to specifically separate the desired radionuclides from the remaining matter.

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