Feasibility studies of DEMO potential waste recycling by proven existing industrial-scale processes

This paper analyses some existing industrial-scale processes for recycling of DEMO steel (Eurofer, AISI 316L) components and Lithium orthosilicates breeder, aiming at the evaluation of their practical feasibility and the individuation of preparatory activities to be performed. The thermodynamic analysis of recovering C-14 from Eurofer and AISI 316L steels, by decarburization processes, was performed, based on practices used in steelmaking. The mass of species in the formed phases: gas, oxide, metal, and secondary wastes were quantified. The recovery of the expensive Li-6 and the removal of impurities from used Li4SiO4 solid breeder pebbles was analysed aiming at their reuse in the refabricating of fresh solid breeder. The study also aimed to identify and select existing and emerging remote handling technologies adopted in the modern steelmaking industry; in particular the refractory lining for casting moulding, maintenance repairing and replacing have been studied in detail.