Question

Descrbe the process of "salting" as it applies to aqueous reprocessing methods (i.e., PUREX). What is being added to the solvent and what is its functional purpose?

Answer 1

Salting was the pre-modern method for preserving food, by drawing water out of it to stop spoiling of food or to stop the growth of bacteria in absence of water. It is used since most of the bacteria, fungi and other pathogens cannot survive in highly salty environment due to hypertonic nature of salt (salt makes food dry by dehydrating the food).

Edible salts are added to solvent to aid the purpose of salt in salting. Its functional purpose, as described above, is to dehydrate the food due to its hypertonic nature.