Selected Alkyl(phenyl)-N,N-dialkylcarbamoylmethylphosphine Oxides as Extractants for Am(III) from Nitric Acid Media

Abstract

A new series of neutral bifunctional extractants, alkyl(phenyl)-N,N-dialkylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxides, has been prepared and studied as extractants for Am(III) from nitric acid media. Two types of alkyl(phenyl)-N,N-dialkyl CMPO compounds were prepared, one containing N,N-diethyl groups and the other containing N,N-diisobutyl groups. The N,N-diethyl series contained hexyl(phenyl) and 6-methylheptyl(phenyl) derivatives, abbreviated HφDECMPO, and 6-MHφDECMPO, respectively. The N,N-diisobutyl series contained the n-octyl(phenyl), 6-methylheptyl(phenyl), and the 2-ethylhexyl(phenyl) derivatives, abbreviated OφD[IB]CMPO, 6-MHφD[IB]CMPO, and 2-EHφD[IB]CMPO, respectively. Third power extractant dependencies for the extraction of Am(III) from 0.5 and 3 M HNO₃ were obtained at low (<0.25 M) concentrations of extractant, but higher power dependencies were obtained above 0.25 M extractant from 3 M HNO₃. The HφDECMPO, 6-MHφDECMPO, 6-MHφD[IB]CMPO, and OφD[IB]CMPO [all 0.5 M in diethylbenzene (DEB)] are significantly better extractants than DHDECMPO for Am(III) from 1 to 6 M HNO₃. These same extractants have lower D _Am values than DHDECMPO at low acidities. HφDECMPO and OφD[IB]CMPO also have better selectivity for Am(III) over Fe(III) than DHDECMPO. HφDECMPO in DEB has a strong tendency toward the formation of a second liquid organic phase on extracting macroconcentrations of Nd(III) and U(VI) from 3 M HNO₃; however, this behavior is substantially diminished with the OφD[IB]CMPO and 6-MHφD[IB]CMPO compounds.     

DEGRADATION OF TRUEX-DODECANE PROCESS SOLVENT

The hydrolysis and radiolysis of TRUEX-dodecane process solvent (0.2 M octyl(phenyl)N,N-diisobutycarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO)-1.2 M tributylphosphate (TBP) in n-dodecane) has been Investigated in a series of experiments conducted in a biphasic mode involving contact with aqueous nitric acid solutions. The stability of the principle extractant (CMPO) is observed to be considerably greater than that reported previously for similar studies in chlorinated diluents. The concentration profiles for the degradation products determined by capillary gas chromatography have been successfully fit assuming pseudo-first order kinetics and mechanistic information derived from these fits.     

THE EXTRACTION OF SELECTED ACTINIDES IN THE ( III) (IV) AND ( VI) OXIDATION STATES FROM HYDROCHLORIC ACID BY Oπ D( iB) CMPO: THE TRUEX-CHLORIDE PROCESS∗

The extraction of tetravalent Th, Np, and Pu and hexavalent U from hydrochloric acid was studied using octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diiso-butylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxides, 0π D(iB)CMP0 or CMPO, dissolved in tetrachloroethylene (TCE). A 0·5 MCMPO solution in TCE was found to be an extremely effective extractant for the tetravalent actinides and U(VI) from moderate to concentrated HC1. Extractant dependencies of the distribution ratios of Th(IV), U(VI), and Pu(IV) were 3rd, 2nd, and 3rd power, respectively, indicating the following species: ThCl₄’3CMPO, UO₂Cl₂2CMP0, and PuCl₄»3CMPO. The distribution ratios of a variety of non-actinide elements, including selected alkali, alkaline earths, Al, transition and post-transition metal ions were also measured from 2 Mand 6 M_ HC1. Based on the distribution ratios of tri-, tetra-, and hexavalent actinides from chloride media, a generic actinide extraction/recovery process was developed for the removal of actinides from chloride salt wastes. The process is called TRUEX-Chloride.     

Radiolysis of Diisodecyl Phosphoric Acid and its Effect on the Extraction of Neptunium

Radiolysis of diisodecyl phosphoric acid (DIDPA) in n-dodecane containing tributyl phosphate (TBP) was examined by analyzing concentrations of acidic extractants and H₃PO₄, and its effect on the extraction of neptunium was studied from the aspect of the extraction rate. For the solvent containing 0.5 M DIDPA and 0.1 M TBP irradiated in the absence of HNO₃, G-values for degradation of DIDPA and for production of dibutyl phosphoric acid (DBP) were found to be 0.47 and 0.14, respectively. For the solvent irradiated in stationary contact with 0.5 M HNO₃, G-value for DIDPA degradation was found to be 0.73, which was 1.7 times larger than the value for the solvent irradiated in the absence of HNO₃.

In the experiment on the extraction of neptunium initially in the pentavalent state from the solution containing 0.5 M HNO₃ and 0.5 M H₂O₂, it was found that the extraction rete tas determined by the concentration of MIDPA forted by radiolysis when the solvent was irradiated with lower dose than 1 MGy in the absence of HNO₃. When the solvent absorbed higher dose or was irradiated in the presence of HNO₃, the extraction rate was influenced by the other radiolysis products. Even in this case, when the solvent contained TBP, the rate varied little until absorbed dose increased over 0.5 MGy.     

Mercury Extraction By The TRUEX Process Solvent: III. Extractable Species And Stoichiometry†

ABSTRACT

Mercury extraction from acidic aqueous solutions by the TRUEX process solvent, 0.2 M n-octyl(phenyl)N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO), 1.4 M tributylphosphate (TBP) in n-dodecane, has not been extensively examined, Research is currently in progress at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant to evaluate the TRUEX process for actinide removal from several acidic waste streams, including liquid sodium-bearing waste (SBW), which contains significant quantities of mercury. Reactions for two mercury species, HgCl₂ and HgCl₄ ^?2, are reported. Classical slope analysis techniques were utilized to evaluate the stoichiometric coefficients of each Hg species independently for both CMPO and TBP. The slope analysis results indicate that even the HgCl₄ ^?2 species extracts as HgCl₂. The results also indicate that 1.9 to 2.2 moles of CMPO and 1.5 to 1.81 moles of TBP are required per mole of HgCl₂ extracted. A generic equation for mercury extraction into CMPO or TBP has been shown to be:

where x = 2 or 4, y = 0 or ?2, E = CMPO or TBP, a = the experimentally determined CMPO or TBP stoichiometry, and over lines indicate organic species. Equilibrium constants for HgCl₂ species were determined to be 295 when extracted by CMPO and 18.2 when extracted by TBP. Equilibrium constants for the HgCl₄ ^?2 species were found to range between 5.8 and 12.0 for the CMPO reaction and 0.13 to 0.27 with TBP.     

Extraction of Actinides from a Chloride Medium Using Pentaalkylpropanediamides

Abstract

Pyrometallurgical processes for the purification of plutonium for defense create waste solutions containing actinides, mainly americium, in chloride medium. Studies have been undertaken to study the extraction of actinides in a chloride medium (hydrochloric acid mixed with concentrated salts such as LiCl, CaCl₂, MgCl₂, KCl) using pentaalkylpropanediamides as extractants. Plutonium(IV) is very easily extracted, but Am(III) needs a salting-out agent such as LiCl. Back extraction of trivalent cations is easy in HCl <5 M . Plutonium(IV) and (VI) can be stripped by reduction either with ascorbic acid or hydroxylammonium salts in a weak-acid medium. Several diluents can be used (aromatic, chlorinated, or even aliphatic) with addition of decanol to prevent third-phase formation. In conclusion, diamides can be used for declassification of various wastes, they are potentially completely incinerable, and, as the synthesis has been optimized, they appear to be promising extractants.     

THE EXTRACTION OF Eu(III) FROM ACIDIC MEDIA BY OCTYL(PHENYL)-N,N-DIISOBUTYL CARBAMOYLMETHYLPHOSPHINE OXIDE.

The extraction behavior of Eu(III) from nitric and hydrochloric acid By solutions of CMPO with and without TBP has been studied using mesitylene and dodecane as diluents. Compared to CMPO alone, the CMPO-TBP mixture shows a slight enhancement in the extraction of Eu(III) from nitric acid above 2M and lower DEu’ s from low acidity. The distribution ratios measured for Eu(III) between HN03 and CMPO-TBP in dodecane are higher than the corresponding values in mesitylene.Extractant dependency studies in the presence and absence of TBP show that at low HN03 concentrations, the extractant dependency curve obtained in the presence of TBP lies below the curve obtained in the absence of TBP. At high acidity, the opposite is observed. The extraction of Eu(III) from hydrochloric acid by CMPO-TBP in dodecane is much lower than from nitric acid. A comparison between CMPO and D2EHPA for Eu(III) extraction has been carried out.     

Amides as Phase Modifiers for N,N′-Tetraalkylmalonamide Extraction of Actinides and Lanthanides from Nitric Acid Solutions

Abstract

The N,N′-tetraalkylmalonamides are a class of compounds under development for transuranic (TRU) separations under high nitric acid conditions. There are several issues that challenge the further development of these ligands. One is the development of improved synthetic procedures that lend themselves to commercial scale-up. Another major issue is the third-phase formation that occurs when the N,N′-tetraalkylmalonamides are contacted with medium-to-high nitric acid concentrations in hydrocarbon solvents. To address the synthesis issue we have developed a new synthetic approach for preparing these materials. Third-phase formation can be eliminated by addition of diluent modifiers such as tributylphosphate (TBP). TBP is inappropriate if a nonphosphate-containing process stream is required. Amides have been proposed as alternatives for TBP in a variety of applications because of their ease of synthesis and the variety of substituents that can be generated. We have been able to develop an amide phase-modified system that extends the working process range of alkylmalonamides (0.5 M) in dodecane (unbranched hydrocarbon) from 3.5 M to 7.5 M nitric acid and in Isopar H (branched hydrocarbon) from 4.0 M to 10.0 M nitric acid using 1.0 M di-2-ethylhexylacetamide/0.5 M alkylmalonamide. The K_d values were comparable to extraction with alkylmalonamide in Isopar H or hydrogenated tetrapropylene (TPH) solvents. The overall extraction system was more robust than the phase-unmodified system allowing for greater temperature and acid concentration fluctuations without third-phase formation.     

Sorption Capacity of Ferromagnetic Microparticles Coated with CMPO

Abstract

Magnetically assisted chemical separation (MACS) was developed at Argonne National Laboratory as a compact process for reducing the volume of high-level aqueous waste streams that exist at many U.S. Department of Energy sites. In the MACS process, ferromagnetic particles coated with solvent extractants are used to selectively separate transuranic nuclides and heavy metals from aqueous wastes. The contaminant-loaded particles are recovered from the waste stream by using a magnet. For the recovery of transuranic species the extractant used is octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO) dissolved in tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP). To better understand the extraction chemistry of this solvent/particle system, europium was used to monitor the sorption capacity of the MACS particles for lanthanides and actinides. Europium concentrations varying from 10^?7 M to 10^?1 M were prepared with 3M NaNO₃ in 0.1M HNO₃. Neutron activation analysis was used to measure the concentration of europium. The sorption capacity was evaluated, along with the sorption isotherms to simulate multiple contact stages. The maximum absorption capacities obtained was 0.62 mmol/g. The adsorption models of Langmuir and Freundlich and the extended Langmuir model of Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) were fitted to the data. The best correlations were obtained from the Langmuir and BET models, a result that supports a monolayer adsorption mechanism. The Langmuir and BET models suggested a loading capacity of 0.33 mmol/g and 0.25 mmol/g, respectively. The Freundlich model results support favorable metal loading with a 1/n value of 0.3.

     

ACTIVITY COEFFICIENTS OF CARBAMOYLMETHYLPHOSPHORYL EXTRACTANTS IN TOLUENE*

The activity coefficients of four extractants belonging to the carbamoylmethylphosphoryl class were measured by vapor-phase osmometry. All of the activity coefficients were within 15% of unity for concentrations up to 0.5 M in toluene. As the basicity of the extractant's phosphoryl-group increases, its activity coefficient decreases. Octylphenyl-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethyl-phosphine oxide [OφD(iB)CMPO] in toluene exhibited a marked decrease in activity coefficient upon equilibration with water or nitric acid. This helps explain a negative deviation from a third-power extractant dependency exhibited by americium distribution ratios, D_AM, from 0.500 M HNO₃. A positive deviation from a third-power extractant dependency, of D_AM for Am extracted from 5.00 M HNO₃, is explained by the alteration of the diluent's physico-chemical properties as its nitric acid content Increases. The extraction of nitric acid and water by toluene solutions of 0φD(iB)CMPO was also measured.     

Supported Extractant Membranes for Americium and Plutonium Recovery

Abstract

Solid supported liquid membranes(SLM) are useful in transferring and concentrating americium and plutonium from nitrate solutions. Specifically, DHDECMP (d ihexyl-N, N-diethylcarbamoyImethylphosphonate) supported on Accurel or Celgard polypropylene hollow fibers assembled in modular form transfers >95% of the americium and >70% of the plutonium from high nitrate (6.9 M), low acid (0.1 M) feeds into 0.25 M oxalic acid stripping solution. Membranes supporting TBP (tri-n-butylphosphate) also transfer these metal ions. Maximum permeabilities were observed to be 1 × 10^?3 cm sec^?1, similar to the values for other systems. The feed:strip volume ratio shows an inverse relationship to the fraction of metal ion transferred. Cation exchangers may be used to concentrate americium from the strip solution.     

Synergistic Extraction Studies Using n-Octyl(Phenyl) N,N-Diisobutylcarbamoyl-Methylphosphine Oxide

Abstract

The effectiveness of n-octyl(phenyl)-N,N′-diisobutylcarbamoyl-methylphosphine oxide, CMPO, as a neutral extractant for the trivalent actinides and lanthanides from strong acid media has been well established. This investigation characterized the use of CMPO as a synergistic agent in the extraction of Am(III) and Eu(III) by thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA). The distributions of the metal ions were measured using radiotracer techniques as functions of HTTA concentration, CMPO concentration and pH. The results show that the presence of CMPO enhances the extraction of Eu(III) and Am(III) by 10⁸. The synergistic adduct was M(TTA)₃·CMPO with no indication of higher complexes being formed. Unlike previous studies, the extraction of Eu(III) was more strongly enhanced than that of Am(III). The results showed little, if any, enhancement in the extraction efficiency due to the bidentate nature of the CMPO.     

THE INFLUENCE OP THE DILUENT ON THE DISTRIBUTION BEHAVIOR OF OCTYL(PHENYL)-N,N-DIISOBUTYLCARBAMOYLMETHYLPH0SPHINE OXIDE*

The degree of Interaction or compatibility of the neutral bifunctional extractant 0фD(lB)CMP0 with a diluent was determined by measuring the distribution ratio of the extractant between two phases. The distribution ratio, D_CMPO, was highest in chloro-carbon and aromatic diluents with small molar volumes and lowest in normal paraffinic hydrocarbon diluents with large molar volumes. An approximate correlation between D_CMPO in a variety of diluents and the solubility parameter (𝛅) of the diluent was obtained using equations for regular solutions and b.delta;H₂o =34.8. A much better correlation was obtained between DCMP0 find an empirical solution parameter. It was found that the distribution ratio of diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxides increased by 3 orders of magnitude as the basicity of the phosphoryl group on the extractant was increased by the replacement of two phenyl substi-tutents on the phosphorus atom with two octyl groups

The influence of TBP as a phase modifier in 0фD (iB)CMPO -diluent systems was also studied. No evidence was found for complex formation between CMPO extractants and TBP. Changes in D_CMPO on addition of TBP appear to be essentially solvent effects. The interaction between 0фD(1B)CMP0 and diluents also explains, to some extent, variations of D_AM using different diluents.     

Laboratory-Scale Counter-Current Centrifugal Contactor Demonstration of an Innovative-SANEX Process Using a Water Soluble BTP

In this paper the development and laboratory-scale demonstration of a novel “innovative-SANEX” (Selective Actinide Extraction) process using annular centrifugal contactors is presented. In this strategy, a solvent comprising the N,N,N’,N’-tetraoctyldiglycolamide (TODGA) extractant with addition of 5 vol.-% 1-octanol showed very good extraction efficiency of Am(III) and Cm(III) together with the trivalent lanthanides (Ln(III)) from simulated Plutonium Uranium Refining by Extraction (PUREX) raffinate solution without 3^rd phase formation. Cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid (CDTA) was used as masking agent to prevent the co-extraction of Zr and Pd. An(III) and Ln(III) were co-extracted from simulated PUREX raffinate, and the loaded solvent was subjected to several stripping steps. The An(III) were selectively stripped using the hydrophilic complexing agent SO₃-Ph-BTP (2,6-bis(5,6-di(sulfophenyl)-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine). For the subsequent stripping of the Ln(III), a citric acid based solution was used. A 32-stage process flow-sheet was designed using computer-code calculations and tested in annular miniature centrifugal contactors in counter-current mode. The innovative SANEX process showed excellent performance for the recovery of An(III) from simulated High Active Raffinate (HAR) solution and separation from the fission and activation products. ≥ 99.8% An(III) were recovered with only low impurities (0.4% Ru, 0.3% Sr, 0.1% Ln(III)). The separation from the Ln(III) was excellent and the Ln(III) were efficiently stripped by the citrate-based stripping solution. The only major contaminant in the spent solvent was Ru, with 14.7% of the initial amount being found in the spent solvent. Solvent cleaning and recycling therefore has to be further investigated. This successful spiked test demonstrated the possibility of separating An(III) directly from HAR solution in a single cycle which is a great improvement over the former multi-cycle strategy. The results of this test are presented and discussed.     

EXTRACTION OF TRIVALENT LANTHANIDES AND ACTINIDES BY A SYNERGISTIC MIXTURE OF THENOYLTRIFLUOROACETONE AND A LINEAR POLYETHER

Abstract

Mixtures of a linear polyether, l,13-bis[8-quinolyl]-l,4,7,10,13-pentaoxatridecane, K-5, and thenoyltrifluoroacetone, HTTA, have been shown to exhibit synergistic character in the extraction of trivalent lanthanides and actinides. The effect of the addition of K-5 to the organic phase on the extractions of Ce(III), Eu(III), Tm(III), Am(III), Cm(III), Bk(III), and Cf(III) by HTTA in chloroform from 0.5M NaNO₃ at 25°C has been measured. These results indicate the extraction is enhanced by the formation of M(TTA)₃K-5 adduct in the organic phase. The organic phase stability constants for the formation of these synergistic species have been calculated for all the metals studied. The magnitude of these organic phase stability constants for K-5 are similar to other common neutral donors. The order of stability does not follow the normal trend based on charge-to-radius ratio, but follows a pattern based on size, with Am(III) being the most stable.     

Tuning the Extractive Properties of Purex Solvent using Room Temperature Ionic Liquid

An Aliquat-336 based ionic liquid, namely, tri-n-octylmethylammonium bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate ([A3636]⁺[DEHP]^?) was prepared and studied for the extraction of U(VI), Pu(IV), and Am(III) from nitric acid medium. Since the ionic liquid, [A336]⁺[DEHP]^? was miscible in n-dodecane (n-DD), the extraction of these actinides in the PUREX solvent, 1.1 M tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) in n-dodecane (n-DD), was investigated in the presence of small concentrations of ionic liquid. The distribution ratio of U(VI) and Am(III) in 0.03 M [A336]⁺[DEHP]^?/n-DD decreased with increase in the concentration of nitric acid; whereas the extraction of Pu(IV) initially increased, it reached a maximum at 4 M nitric acid followed by the decrease. The extraction of actinides in ionic liquid medium decreased in the order Pu(IV) > U(VI) >> Am(III), indicating the feasibility of modifying the extractive properties of TBP/n-DD to favor Pu(IV) extraction. Therefore, the extraction of Pu(IV) in a solution of TBP – [A336]⁺[DEHP]^? in n-DD was also studied. The distribution ratio of Pu(IV) increased with increase in the concentration of ionic liquid and decrease in the concentration of TBP in organic phase. The distribution ratio of Pu(IV) determined in the presence of small concentration of ionic liquid in 1.1 M TBP/n-DD was always much higher than that observed in 1.1 M TBP/n-DD. In contrast to this, the distribution ratio of U(VI) decreased by the addition of ionic liquid and Am(III) was inextractable even in the presence of ionic liquid.     

THE SEPARATION OF NEPTUNIUM AND PLUTONIUM FROM NITRIC ACID USING n-OCTYL(PHENYL)-N,N DIISOBUTYLCARBAMOYLMETHYLPHOSPHINE OXIDE EXTRACTION AND SELECTIVE STRIPPING†

The extraction of neptunium and plutonium in several oxidation states was studied as a function of nitric acid concentration for 0.1M n-octyl(phenyl)-N, N-diisobutylcarbamoyl -methylphosphine oxide in 1.4M tributylphosphate with dodecane diluent. Np(V) is only weakly extractable over the range of acid concentrations studied while Np(IV) and Np(VI) are highly extractable. Pu(IV) and Pu(VI) are also highly extractable while Pu(III) was extracted but with lower efficiency. An Fe(II) reductant was used to reduce neptunium to Np(IV) and plutonium to Pu(III) for the initial extraction. Pu(III) was then stripped with dilute HNO₃ in the presence of a holding reductant leaving the Np(IV) in the organic phase. Neptunium may then be recovered to an aqueous phase with one of a number of complexing agents.     

EXTRACTION OF AMERICIUM(III) FROM CHLORIDE MEDIA BY OCTYL(PHENYL)-N,N-DIISOBUTYLCARBAMOYLMETHYLPHOSPHINE OXIDE∗

The extraction of Am(III) from chloride media was studied using octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide, Oπ D(iB)CMPO or CMPO, dissolved in tetrachloroethylene. Although the extraction of Am(III) by 0πD(iB)CMPO is many orders of magnitude weaker from chloride than nitrate media, the rapid Increase in the mean activity of chloride in HC1 and in most soluble chloride salts with concentration makes extraction from moderate to concentrated hydrochloric acid and/or concentrated Li, Mg, Ca, and Al chloride salt solutions practical. The stoichiometry of the extractable chloro complex was established by extractant dependency and loading experiments and found to be AmCl₃»3CMPO. Hydrochloric acid appears to be associated with the complex when extraction takes place at high HC1 concentrations. The mode of coordination of OπD(iB)CMPO to AmCl₃appears to be bidentate in marked constrast to its behavior in the corresponding nitrate system.     

Extraction of U(VI), Th(IV), and Lanthanides(III) from Nitric Acid Solutions with CMPO-Functionalized Ionic Liquid in Molecular Diluents

The extraction of microquantities of U(VI), Th(IV), and lanthanides(III) from nitric acid solutions with CMPO-functionalized ionic liquid 1-[3[[(diphenylphosphinyl)acetyl]amino]propyl]-3-tetradecyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium hexafluorophosphate, CMPO-FIL(I) in molecular organic diluents has been studied. The effect of HNO₃ concentration in the aqueous phase and that of extractant concentration in the organic phase on the extraction of metal ions is considered. The stoichiometry of the extracted complexes was determined. CMPO-FIL(I) demonstrates greater extraction ability towards Ln(III) than its neutral CMPO analog, diphenylphosphorylacetic acid N-nonylamide. This inner synergistic effect increases with a decreasing organic diluent polarity. The partition of CMPO-FIL(I) between the equilibrium organic and aqueous phases is the dominant factor governing the extractability of Ln(III) ions in the extraction system.     

ZIRCONIUM EXTRACTION INTO OCTYL(PHENYL)-N,N- DIISOBUTYLCARBAMOYLMETHYL PHOSPHINE OXIDE AND TRIBUTYL PHOSPHATE†

ABSTRACT

Classical slope analysis techniques were used to determine the octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide (CMPO) and nitrate stoichiometrics for the extraction of zirconium by CMPO diluted with diisopropylbenzene (DIPB). The equilibrium constant for the extraction of zirconium by CMPO was also determined using classical slope analysis techniques. The extraction of zirconium by TBP in n-dodecane was used as a control to verify the zirconium species as Zr⁺⁴, and to verify the experimental methodology. Equilibrium [CMPO]_org and [TBP]_org concentrations were determined by accounting for the extraction of HNO₃ into both TBP and CMPO solvents. Nitric acid dissociation and aqueous phase activity coefficients were also taken into consideration. Organic activity coefficients, Zr⁺⁴ activity coefficients, Zr⁺⁴ hydrolysis, and consumption of TBP or CMPO by water were neglected. Nitrate and CMPO dependencies for the extraction of zirconium have been determined from this work to be:

An equilibrium constant of 1.13 × 10⁵ ± 1.48 × 10⁴ at 25^° C was also determined for this reaction.