ABS>Hot cell demonstration of the Zirflex decladding process coupled with a modified Purex solvent extraction process was completed using specimens of Zircaloy-clad UO/sub 2/ irradiated to levels of 6150-14,600 Mwd/TU. Soluble losses of uranium and plutonium to the decladding solutions were about 0.05%. Centrifugation of the decladding solution is probably necessary to remove up to 1% of the UO/sub 2/ present as fines resulting from the fracture of low (93 to 95%) density pellets; high (96%) density pellets produced few fines. Approximately 5 hours were required to dissolve the UO/sub 2/ core material (14,000 Mwd/TU) in 4M HNO/sub 3/ versus 6 to 7 hours for unirradiated pellets to produce a solvent extraction feed of 100 g U/l and 3M HNO/sub 3/. Gamma decontamination factors for uranium in the Purex CU stream and plutonium in the BP stream were increased by factors of 2 to 10 from the normal 1.3 x 10/sup 3/ and 2.1 x 10/sup 3/, respectively, by pretreatment of the solvent extraction feed with dincetyl monoxime or its degradation product, oxalic acid. Preliminary data indicate radiation damage degrades the solvent, 30% TBP diluted with Amsco 125- 82, upon one pass through the mixer-settler banks with feed solutions irradiated to levels greater than 12,000 Mwd/T causing a decrease in Zr Z'' test by a factor of 15. (nuth)