Method for recovering uranium from components contaminated with uranium oxide

A process for recovering uranium from components contaminated with uranium oxide, the process comprising the following steps:

• a) providing a cleaning apparatus with a cleaning solution for dissolving the uranium oxide of the components;
• b1) carrying out a cleaning process by introducing a batch of components into the cleaning apparatus;
• b2) carrying out a measurement for determining a uranium content of the components;
• b2.1) repeating steps b1) and b2) if a limit value for the uranium content is exceeded;
• b2.2) discharging the components from the process if the uranium content falls below a limit value;
• c) carrying out the cleaning step b) on a plurality of successive batches of components until a control measurement indicates an unsatisfactory cleaning action of the cleaning solution;
• d) recovering the uranium oxide dissolved in the cleaning solution after an indication of the unsatisfactory cleaning action;
• subjecting the cleaning solution to convective flow during the cleaning process according to step b1), causing the cleaning solution to flow at least one of around or through the components of a batch of components;
• storing the components in a transport basket during the cleaning process;
• and
• providing a spacer between a bottom of the cleaning apparatus and the transport basket to allow the convective flow.