Comparison of Hydrometallurgical Parameters of N,N‐Dialkylamides and of Tri‐n‐Butylphosphate

Straight‐chain N,N‐dihexyloctanamide (DHOA) and branched‐chain N,N‐di(2‐ethylhexyl)isobutyramide (D2EHIBA) have been identified as promising alternatives to tri‐n‐butylphosphate (TBP) for the reprocessing of spent uranium based fuels, and selective extraction of ²³³U from irradiated thorium fuels, respectively. The present work deals with the effects of different hydrodynamic parameters such as viscosity, density, and interfacial tension (IFT) on the phase‐separation time (PST) under uranium and thorium loading conditions. The IFT values have been determined under varying experimental conditions such as the aqueous nitric acid concentration, n‐dodecane purity, ligand concentration, and thorium/uranium loading conditions. These studies have suggested that the quality of n‐dodecane affects the IFT values of different solutions. The IFT values of D2EHIBA changed marginally (23.3 ± 0.9 mNm^?1) against THOREX feed solution for the wide range of D2EHIBA concentration (0.1–1.0 M). However, IFT, viscosity, and PST values increased with uranium loading of 1.1 M DHOA. These studies suggested that a lower phase‐disengagement rate with increased uranium loading was mainly due to the increased viscosity of the loaded 1.1 M DHOA solution.     

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) 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.     

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.     

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.     

High activity and stability of the Rh‐free Co‐based ex‐hydrotalcite containing Pd in the catalytic decomposition of N2O

The catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide to nitrogen and oxygen has been studied over calcined hydrotalcite‐like compounds containing different combinations of bivalent (Co, Pd, Mg) and trivalent (Al, La, Rh) cations with carbonate as interlayer anion. The precursors were prepared by co‐precipitation under low supersaturation conditions and characterized by XRD and TG/DSC. The mixed oxides derived after calcination at 723 K were characterized by XRD, N₂ adsorption at 77 K, and XRF. The presence of Rh, La, or Pd in the Co‐based HTlc's improves considerably the catalytic activity. Co–Rh,Al‐HTlc (Co/Rh/Al==3/0.02/1) proved to be a very active catalyst, although the presence of the noble metal Pd in this catalyst ex‐Co,Pd–La,Al‐HT (Co/Pd/La/Al=3/1/1/1) produces a similar catalytic activity to that of Rh‐containing catalyst, both in a N₂O‐containing stream and in one containing also SO₂ and O₂, but with a better performance in stability tests. PdO phase has been identified by XRD as being responsible for the considerable improvement in the activity. The presence of Mg as spinel structure exerts a stabilizing effect in the more active catalysts when mixtures of SO₂ and O₂ are considered. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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.     

Highly Copper(II) Ion‐Selective Transport Through Liquid Membrane Containing N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐1,2‐phenyldiamine

Abstract

N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐1,2‐phenyldiamine was synthesized for examining their ability to extract and transport Cu²⁺ through a liquid membrane. By using hydrazine sulfate and potassium thiocyanate as reducing agent and acceptor respectively in the receiving phase at the optimum pH of 1.5, the amount of copper transported across the liquid membrane after 3.5 hours was 96%. The selectivity and efficiency of copper transport from aqueous solution containing various metal ions were investigated.     

Shock‐Wave Initiation of Detonation of Double‐Base Propellants

In the known experimental system active charge–target–HE charge to be tested, critical pressures of shock waves initiating detonation of doublebase propellant charges are determined. TNT charges of various density were used as active HE, and copper plates 5 mm thick were used as targets. The pressure of the shock wave acting on the propellant versus the TNT density was constructed; this dependence being known the critical pressure can be readily determined with only the density of the active charge available. It was found that doublebase propellants are close to liquid HE in terms of sensitivity to shock waves; the critical pressure is 6.0–9.0 GPa for a charge diameter of 40 mm and decreases with increasing diameter. By an example of the NDT2 propellant, it is shown that the use of factorypacked propellants in line charges may lead to failure in transfer of detonation from one propellant charge to another.     

Enhancement of activity for NO removal of MFI‐type H‐Co‐silicate by high‐temperature pretreatment

The effect of high‐temperature pretreatment in the presence of steam on NO conversion of protonated cobalt‐incorporated silicate having MFI structure (H‐Co‐silicate) and copper‐ion‐exchanged MFI‐type zeolite (Cu/H‐ZSM‐5) was studied. The activity of Cu/H‐ZSM‐5 decreased with an increase of pretreatment temperature. In contrast with Cu/H‐ZSM‐5, the activity of H‐Co‐silicate for NO removal increased with the pretreatment temperature. As for H‐Co‐silicate, the pretreatment at 1000^°C was the optimum condition to enhance the conversion that was four times higher than that without pretreatment. The destruction of framework and loss of cobalt species were not observed after the pretreatment. Some parts of cobalt species migrated from the framework and became active sites that enhance the activity for NO removal. 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.     

Self‐Propagating High‐Temperature Synthesis of Quasicrystals

With an example of Al–Ni–Co systems of two different compositions, the possibility of obtaining stable decagonal quasicrystals by the method selfpropagating hightemperature synthesis is demonstrated. The burning rate and temperature are determined. Results of an electronmicroscopic and xray diffraction study of the quasicrystals are reported.     

Synthesis and Metal‐ion Binding Properties of New N2S4O2‐ and N2S5O2‐Donor Macrocycles

Abstract

Synthetic procedures for new mixed‐donor macrocycle compounds were reported. The macrocyclic compounds were used in solvent extraction metal picrates such as Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Co²⁺. The metal picrate extractions were investigated at 25±0.1°C with the aid of UV‐visible spectrometry. It was found that 6,7,9,10,12,13,23,24‐octahydro‐19H,26Hdibenzo[h,t](1,4,7,13,16,22,10,19) dioxatetrathiadiazasiclotetracosine‐20,27(21H,28H)‐dione showed selectivity towards Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, and Cd²⁺ among the other metals. The extraction constants (Log K_ex) and complex compositions were determined for the Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ complexes for this compound and 9,10,12,13,23,24,26,27,29,30‐decahydro‐5H,15H‐dibenzo‐[h,w][1,4,7,13,16,19,25‐,10,22] dioxapentathiadiazacycloheptacosine‐6,16(7H,17H)‐dione.     

Stereoselective Formation of 1,4‐Anhydro‐2‐C‐carboxytetritols in the Degradation of 1,5‐Anhydroribitol and 1,5‐Anhydroxylitol with Oxygen in Aqueous Alkali

Abstract

In addition to other acid products, degradation of 1,5‐anhydroribitol (5) and 1,5‐anhydroxylitol (6) with oxygen in 1.25 M NaOH produced diastereomeric 1,4‐anhydro‐2‐C‐carboxy‐D‐erythritol (7) and 1,4‐anhydro‐2‐C‐carboxy‐D‐threitol (8) and their enantiomers as major products. However, the ratio of the diastereomers differed for the two reactants. Thus, their formation could not proceed solely by benzilic acid‐type rearrangements through α‐dicarbonyl intermediates as typically proposed for formation of alkyl C‐carboxyfuranosides from alkyl glycopyranosides in similar reactions. The α‐dicarbonyl species that can form from 5 and 6 are identical. Potential mechanisms to account for stereoselective formation of 7 and 8 are presented.     

Recovery of Zinc by LIX 984N‐C from Electroplating Rinse Bath Solution

The development of a complete solvent extraction process at the laboratory scale for recovering zinc from the zinc electroplating first rinse bath solution (alkali solution) containing ～1.9 g/L zinc (ZEFRBS) by a solvent extraction route using LIX 984N‐C, which is a new SX reagent developed by Cognis, and dissolved in commercial kerosene was investigated. By using LIX 984N‐C, an electrolyte from ZEFRBS with ～12 g/L zinc content, which was addable to the alkali zinc electroplating bath, was generated by 10 vol.% LIX 984N‐C in commercial kerosene at the O/A ratio of 1/4 and equilibrium pH value of 8.00 ± 0.05 with a two‐stage countercurrent extraction, and stripping of the loaded organic by a strip solution with 150 g/L sulfuric acid and with the O/A ratio of 1.5 at a two‐stage countercurrent stripping process. A new complete flow sheet of 10 vol.% LIX 984N‐C process for the recovery of zinc from ZEFRBS has been demonstrated.     

Catalytic reduction of N2O by NH3 in presence of oxygen using Fe‐exchanged zeolites

The influence of ammonia on the reduction of N₂O in presence of oxygen over Fe‐zeolite has been studied. It is found that BEA zeolite is the most efficient host structure for iron ions to catalyse the reduction of N₂O with NH₃. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characterization of Extraction of Chromatographic Materials Containing Bis(2‐ethyl‐1‐hexyl)Phosphoric Acid, 2‐Ethyl‐1‐Hexyl (2‐Ethyl‐1‐Hexyl) Phosphonic Acid,and Bis(2,4,4‐Trimethyl‐1‐Pentyl)Phosphinic Acid

Abstract

This work describes the uptake of a wide range of metal ions, including alkaline earths, transition metals, post‐transition metals, lanthanides and actinides, from acidic nitrate and chloride media on extraction chromatographic resins prepared from three different acidic organophosphorus compounds: bis(2‐ethyl‐1‐hexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP), 2‐ethyl‐1‐hexyl(2‐ethyl‐1‐hexyl)phosphonic acid, (HEH[EHP]) and bis(2,4,4‐trimethyl‐1‐pentyl)phosphinic acid (H[DTMPP]). The data is plotted in a format allowing for the easy comparison of the uptake of all metal ions under a given condition. Additionally, examples of several novel separations using the three extraction chromatographic materials are discussed.     

Cobalt‐catalyzed amination of 1,3‐cyclohexanediol and 2,4‐pentanediol in supercritical ammonia

The onestep procedure of amination of bifunctional secondary alcohols to diamines has been investigated in a continuous fixedbed reactor. Application of supercritical NH₃ as a solvent and reactant suppressed catalyst deactivation and improved selectivities to amino alcohol intermediates, whereas selectivities to diamines remained poor (8–10%). The main reason for the low diamine selectivity of 1,3dihydroxy compounds is water elimination leading to undesired monofunctional products via ,unsaturated alcohol, ketone or amine intermediates. This side reaction does not occur with 1,4dihydroxy compounds which afford high aminol and diamine selectivities under similar conditions. Amination of secondary diols with ammonia was found to be faster, but less selective than that of the corresponding primary 1,3propanediol.     

Shock‐Induced Polarization of Materials

A new computational method of calculating signals of shockinduced electric polarization of materials is proposed and used to analyze previous experimental results on the shockinduced electric polarization of Plexiglas. Experimental results on the shockinduced electric polarization of granite are presented.     

Extraction of Palladium(II) from Nitric Acid Solutions with 1‐Benzoyl‐3‐[6‐(3‐benzoyl‐thioureido)‐hexyl]‐thiourea

The extraction of palladium (II) from HNO₃ solutions with 1‐Benzoyl‐3‐[6‐(3‐benzoyl‐thioureido)‐hexyl]‐thiourea (Ia) and several monodentate thiourea derivatives in 1,2‐dichloroethane has been studied. The effect of HNO₃ concentration in the aqueous phase and that of the extractant in the organic phase on the Pd(II) extraction is considered. The stoichiometry of the extracted complexes has been determined. The increasing number of thioamide groups in the molecule of Ia increases its extraction efficiency towards Pd(II). The potentialities of a polymeric resin impregnated with compound Ia for selective extraction of Pd(II) from nitric acid solutions are demonstrated.