Physiochemical and Plutonium Retention Properties of Hydrolytic and Radiolytically Degraded Tri‐n‐Amylphosphate

Abstract

Hydrolytic and radiolytic degradation of tri‐n‐amylphosphate (TAP) diluted in normal paraffin hydrocarbon (NPH) in the presence of nitric acid has been investigated. Physicochemical properties such as density, viscosity, and phase disengagement time (PDT) were measured for undegraded and degraded solutions. The extent of damage caused by chemical and radiation induced reactions in TAP‐NPH‐HNO₃ system has been assessed by the measurement of plutonium retention in the organic phase. The results are compared with those obtained using undegraded TAP as well as tri‐n‐butylphosphate (TBP) in NPH. The effectiveness of sodium carbonate washing of the degraded organic phase for restoring the original quality of the solvent has been detailed. The study indicates that plutonium retention exhibited by TAP/NPH is insignificant at dose levels typically encountered in the first extraction cycle (～0.2 kGy), and the marginal increase of plutonium retention at higher dose levels is not, however, undesirable for the employment of TAP in an actual process.     

Extraction of Lanthanides with N,N′‐Dimethyl‐N,N′‐diphenyl‐malonamide and ‐3,6‐dioxaoctanediamide

Abstract

The extraction properties of the trivalent lanthanides (Ln(III)) with the bidentate N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐diphenyl‐malonamide (MA) and the tetradentate N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐diphenyl‐3,6‐dioxaoctanediamide (DOODA) were investigated. These diamides formed by coupling two amide groups with methylene and/or ether groups are bidentate for the MA and tetradentate for the DOODA. By adding a previous data regarding the tridentate N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐diphenyl‐diglycolamide (DGA), these extraction results enabled us systematically study an effect of number of oxygen donor on its extraction behavior of Ln(III). The change in the distribution ratios (Ds) of Lu(III) with an increase in the HNO₃ concentration is greater than that of La(III) in both the MA and DOODA systems. Therefore, the relationship between the D and atomic number, i.e., the lanthanide pattern, changes with the HNO₃ concentration: the Ds decrease with an increasing atomic number at lower HNO₃ concentrations. The Ds of the lighter Ln(III) are similar to the Ds of the heavier Ln(III) at higher HNO₃ concentrations. The number of the extractant in the extracted species for La(III) and Lu(III) obtained from slope analysis at 4 M HNO₃ in the MA system are about 3, while those in the DOODA system are quite different, i.e., 2 for La(III) and 1.5–3 for Lu(III). The comparison of the extractability of Ln(III) by MA, DOODA, and DGA shows that the magnitude of the Ds is in the sequence of MA < DOODA ? DGA. This suggests the introduction of one ether oxygen atom to the principal chain in the diamides leads to a good extractability for the Ln(III) from HNO₃ solution.     

Stickiness – A Comparison of Test Methods and Characterisation Parameters

ABSTRACT

The stickiness of adipic acid and alumina was tested in equipment for powder characterisation. Experiments covered various moisture contents at ambient temperature. Both wall adhesion and internal cohesion tests were carried out. The testers evaluated were the Jenike and Peschl shear cells, the Warren Spring Laboratory Cohesion tester, the unconfined yield strength tester, and the Teesside Laminated shear cell. In addition, the empirical tests put forward by Can (1) were carried out. The sticky-point temperatures of various amorphous materials were also tested.

The Jenike shear cell and the Warren Spring Cohesion tesm gave the most consistent and repeatable results for cohesion. None of the equipment tested gave a simple and repeatable measure of adhesion. The tester developed by Howe et al (2) determined the sticky-point quickly and repeatably.

Fluidisation tests were carried out in a small scale visualisation module. The results correlated well with the measured cohesion parameters.     

Selective Removal of Uranium from High‐Level Waste Solution Employing Tri‐n‐Butyl Phosphate as the Extractant

Abstract

Conditions for the selective removal of uranium from high‐level waste solution have been optimized using tri‐n‐butyl phosphate (TBP) as the extractant. Various aqueous soluble reducing agents viz. hydroxylamine nitrate (HAN), hydrazine nitrate (HN), and diethyl hydroxylamine nitrate (DEHAN) as well as n‐dodecane soluble reductant viz. tert‐butyl hydroquinone (TBH) have been evaluated for the separation of U with respect to Pu and Np. The combination of DEHAN and TBH has been found to be most promising for the selective extraction of U from HLW. Extraction data of a few other metal ions expected to be present in high‐level waste solutions viz. Am(III), Eu(III), Zr(IV), Sr(II), and Cs(I) are also obtained.     

Extraction of Actinide(III,IV, V,VI) Ions and TcO4 − by N,N,N′,N′‐Tetraisobutyl‐3‐Oxa‐Glutaramide

Abstract

The extraction behavior of U(VI), Np(V), Pu(IV), Am(III), and TcO₄ ^? with N,N,N′,N′‐tetraisobutyl‐3‐oxa‐glutaramide (TiBOGA) were investigated. An organic phase of 0.2 mol/L TiBOGA in 40/60% (V/V) 1‐octanol/kerosene showed good extractability for actinides (III, IV, V VI) and TcO₄ ^? from aqueous solutions of HNO₃ (0.1 to 4 mol/L). At 25°C, the distribution ratio of the actinide ions (D _An) generally increased as the concentration of HNO₃ in the aqueous phase was increased from 0.1 to 4 mol/L, while the D _Tc at first increased, then decreased, with a maximum of 3.0 at 2 mol/L HNO₃. Based on the slope analysis of the dependence of D _M (M=An or Tc) on the concentrations of reagents, the formula of extracted complexes were assumed to be UO₂L₂(NO₃)₂, NpO₂L₂(NO₃), PuL(NO₃)₄, AmL₃(NO₃)₃, and HL₂(TcO₄) where L=TiBOGA. The enthalpy and entropy of the corresponding extraction reactions, Δ_r H and Δ_r S, were calculated from the dependence of D on temperature in the range of 15–55°C. For U(VI), Np(V), Am(III) and TcO₄ ^?, the extraction reactions are enthalpy driven and disfavored by entropy (Δ_r H<0 and Δ_r S<0). In contrast, the extraction reaction of Pu(IV) is entropy driven and disfavored by enthalpy (Δ_r H>0 and Δ_r S>0). A test run with 0.2 mol/L TiBOGA in 40/60% 1‐octanol/kerosene was performed to separate actinides and TcO₄ ^? from a simulated acidic high‐level liquid waste (HLLW), using tracer amounts of ²³⁸U(VI), ²³⁷Np(V), ²³⁹Pu(IV), ²⁴¹Am(III) and ⁹⁹TcO₄ ^?. The distribution ratios of U(VI), Np(V), Pu(IV), Am(III) and TcO₄ ^? were 12.4, 3.9, 87, >1000 and 1.5, respectively, confirming that TiBOGA is a promising extractant for the separation of all actinides and TcO₄ ^? from acidic HLLW. It is noteworthy that the extractability of TiBOGA for Np(V) from acidic HLLW (D _Np(V)=3.9) is much higher than that of many other extractants that have been studied for the separation of actinides from HLLW.     

Effect of Anions on the Extraction of Lanthanides (III) by N,N′‐Dimethyl‐N,N′‐Diphenyl‐3‐Oxapentanediamide

Abstract

The extraction of microquantities of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and Y by N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐diphenyl‐3‐oxapentanediamide (DMDPhOPDA) in 1,2‐dichloroethane from aqueous media containing ClO₄ ^?, PF₆ ^?, (CF₃SO₂)₂N^? anions or by DMDPhOPDA in 1,2‐dichloroethane in the presence of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoremethyl)sulfonyl]imide ([C₄mim][Tf₂N]) and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₄mim][PF₆]) from HNO₃ solutions has been studied. The effect of HNO₃ concentration in the aqueous phase and that of the extractant concentration in the organic phase on the extraction of metal ions is considered. The stoichiometry of the extracted complexes has been determined. The addition of HPF₆ and (CF₃SO₂)₂NH or their salts to the aqueous HNO₃ or HCl solutions leads to an enchancement of lanthanides (III) extraction by DMDPhOPDA. A considerable synergistic effect was observed in the presence of ionic liquids (IL) in the organic phase containing DMDPhOPDA. This effect is connected with the hydrophobic nature of the IL anion. The distribution of ILs between the equilibrium organic and aqueous phases can govern the extractability of lanthanides (III) in DMDPhOPDA‐IL systems.     

Synergistic Extraction of Lanthanides(III) by Mixtures of N‐p‐Methoxybenzoyl‐N‐phenylhydroxylamine and 1,10‐Phenanthroline

Abstract

We conducted a study on the equilibrium extraction behavior of the trivalent lanthanide ions (M³⁺), La, Pr, Eu, Ho, and Yb, from tartrate aqueous solutions into chloroform solutions containing N‐p‐methoxybenzoyl‐N‐phenylhydroxylamine (Methoxy‐BPHA, HL) and 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen). The synergistic species extracted was found to be {ML₂(phen) (HL)}⁺(1/2)Tar^2?, where Tar^2? is tartrate ion. The extraction constants were calculated. The extraction separation behavior and extractability of lanthanides are discussed in comparison with the self‐adducted chelate, ML₃(HL)₂, which was extracted in the absence of phen, and synergistic extraction by mixtures of other extractants such as 2‐thenoyltrifluoroacetone, and neutral donors.     

Interfacial Tension Studies of N,N‐Dialkyl Amides

Abstract

The interfacial tension (IFT) of 1 M solutions of N,N‐dialkyl amide in n‐dodecane against water and nitric acid has been measured at 303 K. Ten amides, namely, dibutyl hexanamide (DBHA), diisobutyl hexanamide (DiBHA), dibutyl octanamide (DBOA), dihexyl hexanamide (DHHA), dibutyl dodecanamide (DBDA), di n‐octyl butanamide (DOBA), diisooctyl butanamide (DiOBA), di n‐octyl isobutanamide (DOiBA), di n‐hexyl octanamide (DHOA), and di n‐octyl hexanamide (DOHA) were synthesized and used. The effect of concentration of DOHA on IFT against 3 M nitric acid was also studied. It was observed that the introduction of branching in an amide on either the acyl or the nitrogen side increases the IFT over its straight chain analogue, as in the case of DiOBA, DOiBA, and DiBHA. Increasing the carbon chain length on the acyl side, keeping the total carbon number constant, was found to increase the IFT considerably. Increasing the concentration of the amide resulted in a decrease in the IFT values, due to the lowering of the concentration of hydrophobic diluent. An increase in the uranium loading of the organic phase in the case of 1 M DOHA, was found to increase the IFT.     

Comparison of the catalytic properties of Al‐ZSM‐22 and Fe‐ZSM‐22 in the skeletal isomerization of 1‐butene

The catalytic activities of Al‐ZSM‐22 (Al in the framework) and Fe‐ZSM‐22 (Fe in the framework) were compared in the skeletal isomerization of 1‐butene to isobutene. The catalysts synthesized in the laboratory were characterized by means of XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM and surface area measurements. The activity of the zeolites was investigated using a fixed‐bed microreactor system. Al‐ZSM‐22 demonstrated higher activity in 1‐butene transformation compared to Fe‐ZSM‐22, while the selectivity to isobutene, on the other hand, was higher over Fe‐ZSM‐22. Coke formation was monitored using a microbalance and the results showed that the weight gain of Fe‐ZSM‐22 was slightly higher compared to Al‐ZSM‐22. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

15N solid state NMR study of the reactions of propane or propene, 15NO and oxygen on Na‐, H‐, and CuZSM‐5

Ni- and Co-based catalysts derived from NiAl- and CoAl-layered double hydroxides were tested in four kinds of reactions of methanol, namely decomposition of methanol (DCM), partial oxidation of methanol (POM), steam reforming of methanol (SRM), and oxidative steam reforming of methanol (OSRM), for the purpose of H₂ production for fuel cells. H₂, CO and/or CO₂ were the predominant products with minor amounts of dimethyl ether (DME) and CH₄ depending on the reaction temperature. Among the four kinds of reactions tested, the OSRM reaction was found to be more effective in terms of MeOH conversion and H₂ selectivity over these catalysts. Higher selectivity of H₂ and CO₂ with only traces of CO could be obtained at about 100% methanol conversion around 300 °C in the OSRM reaction over the catalyst derived from CoAl-LDH. Substitution of a part of Al by Sn in the NiAl- and CoAl-LDH systems was found to be inhibiting the methanol conversion. On the other hand, the selectivities to DME and CH₄ were declined with a consequent increase in the selectivity to H₂. In addition, considerable amount of formaldehyde was also noticed, especially over the catalyst derived from CoAlSn-LDH at lower reaction temperatures. The observed difference in the catalytic performance upon Sn incorporation was attributed to an improved redox capability of the Ni- and Co-based oxide catalysts, as determined by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) experiments. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synergistic Extraction of Lanthanides(III) with N‐p‐Methoxybenzoyl‐N‐Phenylhydroxylamine and Neutral Nitrogen Donors

Abstract

We investigated the extraction equilibrium behavior of a series of trivalent lanthanide ions, (M³⁺), La, Pr, Eu, Ho, and Yb, from tartrate aqueous solutions using a chloroform solution containing N‐p‐methoxybenzoyl‐N‐phenylhydroxylamine (Methoxy‐BPHA or HL) combined with an adductant, 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) or 2,2′‐bipyridyl (bipy). The synergistic species extracted were found to be {ML₂(phen)(HL)}⁺(1/2)Tar^2? and {ML₂(bipy)(HL)₂}⁺(1/2)Tar^2?, where Tar^2? is the tartrate ion. The stoichiometry, the extraction constants, and the separation factors of these systems were determined. We discuss the extractability and the separation factors in comparison with self‐adduct chelates, ML₃(HL)_2,(o), which were formed in the absence of phen or bipy.     

Interaction of hydrogen and n‐pentane with sulfated zirconia

Interaction of hydrogen with sulfated zirconia catalysts was studied in situ at 473 K. Interaction of hydrogen with the sample evacuated at 673 K leads to the formation of new hydroxyl groups (wide bands near 3330 cm⁻¹) and water (1620 cm⁻¹). In the case of the sample evacuated at 873 K, SOH groups (3660 cm⁻¹) and zirconium hydrides (1555 cm⁻¹) form. Adsorption of n‐pentane on sulfated zirconia catalysts in the range of 253–383 K was studied. It was shown that hydrides and protonated cyclopentadienes form at low temperatures. At higher temperatures, aromatic compounds are formed mainly. The reaction mechanism is discussed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Solvent Extraction of Lanthanides(III) with N‐Cinnamoyl‐N‐phenylhydroxylamine and Its Trifluoromethyl Derivative

Abstract

N‐m‐Trifluoromethylcinnamoyl‐N‐phenylhydroxylamine (CF₃‐CPHA) was synthesized. The acid‐dissociation constant and distribution constant between chloroform and water of CF₃‐CPHA and N‐cinnamoyl‐N‐phenylhydroxylamine (CPHA), which was the mother compound of CF₃‐CPHA, were determined spectrophotometrically. The extraction behavior of tervalent lanthanides (Ln), Pr, Eu, and Yb into chloroform solution containing CPHA or CF₃‐CPHA was studied. They are extracted as self‐adduct chelates, LnL₃(HL)₃, where L and HL denote the ligand anion and neutral ligand, respectively. The extraction constants and separation factors for the lanthanides with CPHA and CF₃‐CPHA were evaluated. The extraction constant with CPHA are smaller than that obtained with CF₃‐CPHA. However, it is observed that CPHA possesses higher selectivity than CF₃‐CPHA.     

Extraction Studies of Lanthanide(III) Ions with N,N′‐Dimethyl‐N,N′‐diphenylpyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxyamide (DMDPhPDA) from Nitric Acid Solutions

Abstract

The new diamide compound, N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐diphenylpyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxyamide (DMDPhPDA), was synthesized and the distribution ratios of lanthanides from 1 to 5 M nitric acid solutions into DMDPhPDA CHCl₃ solution were determined. The extraction mechanism of lanthanide with DMDPhPDA was discussed based on the slope analysis of acid and ligand concentration dependencies and the variation of distribution ratio along the lanthanides series. The number of DMDPhPDA molecules in extracted complexes increase from 3 for lighter lanthanides to 4 for heavier lanthanides. From the previous EXAFS study of a complex similar in structure, Ln(III) would form an inner‐sphere complex with the two DMDPhPDA molecules and an outer‐sphere complex with the third and/or fourth DMDPhPDA molecules in addition to an inner‐sphere complex. Nitric acid concentration has more influence on the distribution ratio and the difference of distribution ratio among lanthanides than the ligand concentration.     

Application of N,N′‐Dimethyl‐N,N′‐Di(4‐Chlorophenyl)Tetradecyl Malonamide for the Selective Recovery of Iron(III) from Concentrated Chloride Solutions

Abstract

The feasibility of using two new diamides namely; N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐di(4‐chlorophenyl)malonamide (DMDPhClMA) and N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐di(4‐chlorophenyl)tetradecylmalonamide (DMDPhClTDMA), as agents for the selective extraction of iron(III) from chloride solution was investigated. A systematic investigation has been carried out on the detailed extraction properties of iron(III) with these extractants from chloride media. The extraction of iron(III) from an aqueous chloride solution in the presence of metal ions, such as Zn(II), Co(II), Mn(II) Cu(II), Pb(II), Ni(II) and Ag(I) was carried out using DMDPhClMA or DMDPhClTDMA in binary and multicomponent mixtures. The quantitative extraction of iron(III) with DMDPhClMA and DMDPhClTDMA in toluene is observed at 4 and 7 M HCl, respectively. The quantitative stripping of Fe(III), from the loaded organic phase was successfully achieved by simple contact with water.     

Vapour‐phase synthesis of n‐butanethiol from n‐butanol and carbon disulfide over alkali‐promoted chromia on γ‐alumina catalysts

The vapour‐phase reaction of n‐butanol and carbon disulfide was performed in a fixed‐bed flow reactor in the presence of a potassium‐carbonate‐promoted chromia on γ‐alumina catalyst, namely G41P from Girdler. A high selectivity to n‐butanethiol (85%) was obtained at 250°C with a 1 : 1 n‐butanol : carbon disulfide molar ratio, a contact time of 6 s and a flow rate of 0.03 ml/min. Under these conditions no isomeric mercaptans were obtained. The amount of secondary products, di‐n‐butyl sulfide and di‐n‐butyl disulfide, is relatively low and decreases with decrease of n‐butanol conversion. However, the catalyst was shown to deactivate relatively rapidly. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Influence of sulfation and structure of zirconia on catalytic isomerization of n‐hexane

Two series of sulfated zirconia have been prepared by immersing amorphous or crystalline zirconia in an H₂SO₄ solution (0.25–2.5 M). They were compared with a commercial sulfated zirconium hydroxide. Activation temperature was varied between 300 and 725°C. Sulfate density varied so that the mean surface area of an individual sulfate ranged from 0.14 to 0.54 nm². Three limiting sulfate states are evidenced and characterized by TPRMS. Catalysts are tested for isomerization of nhexane at 150°C and 3 MPa. Factors influencing the activity are discussed. The data show that a highly active and selective catalyst for producing hexane isomers requires tetragonal zirconia with a sulfate occupancy of about 0.40 nm². Preparation parameters must therefore be adapted to match these constraints.     

Solvent Extraction of Au(I) from Auro‐Cyanide Solution with Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide/Tri‐n‐Butyl Phosphate System using Column‐Shaped Extraction Equipment

Abstract

Solvent extraction of Au(I) from alkaline cyanide solution containing several milligram per liter of gold was investigated with column‐shaped extraction equipment using tri‐n‐butylphosphate (TBP) as extractant with addition of quaternary ammonium salt, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), directly into the aurous aqueous phase in advance. The influences of the volume of TBP and the NaCl concentration in the aurous aqueous phase on Au(I) extraction were investigated. The experimental results for treating 50 L of synthetic auro‐cyanide solution containing 10 mg/L Au(I) and for treating real auro‐cyanide leaching liquor by CTAB/TBP system were reported. The results obtained establish that the column‐shaped extraction equipment was suitable for extracting Au(I) from low content auro‐cyanide solution at high aqueous/organic phase ratio, and that more than 97% of gold(I) could be extracted while the Au(I) concentration in the raffinate was less than 0.3 mg/L. In addition, the stripping of Au(I) from the loaded organic phase and the recycle of the organic phase were also discussed.