DEMO radioactive wastes: Decarburization, recycling and reuse by additive manufacturing

Recycling is a real indicator of whether any nuclear industry taking seriously about reducing its radioactive waste volume. Hence, manufacturing components starting from recycled activated material originated by DEMO reactor, with the relative techniques, might be an important factor to support environmental sustainability fusion management. Accordingly, in this work feasibility recycling materials decommissioned plants are presented. In initial part, powder production steels AISI 316 L(N) and EUROFER their use Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies investigated as studied during EUROfusion Consortium funded activities. Chemical-physical parameters processed have been defined, together viability, producing metal powders industrial VIGA (Vacuum Induction Gas Atomizer) facility. Experimental activities performed, aiming at characterization. A preliminary analysis processing these via selective laser melting (SLM) has carried out. Additional results presented for experiments out on decarburization pollution solid lithium orthosilicate breeder (Li4SiO4) coming refractory material, simulating thermal process Li4SiO4 or recycling, assessing impact platinum, zirconia, graphite mullite quality removing impurities.