Methods and systems for separation of thorium from uranium and their decay products

A system for separation of thorium from uranium and their decay products, the system comprising:

• an extraction vessel comprising an extraction inlet, an ion exchange resin selective for thorium or uranium, and an extraction outlet, the extraction inlet configured to receive a nuclear fuel feedstock comprising thorium and uranium and a first acid, the extraction vessel configured to form a first solution from the nuclear fuel feedstock and the first acid and contact the first solution with the ion exchange resin to form a second solution, the outlet configured to transport the second solution out of the extraction vessel;
• and
• a separation vessel comprising a separation inlet and a separation outlet, the separation inlet in fluid communication with the extraction outlet and configured to receive the second solution and oxalic acid, the separation vessel configured to combine the second solution and oxalic acid in order to precipitate the remaining uranium or thorium in the second solution to form a precipitate.