Study of Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) Phosphoric Acid and Neutral Organophosphorus Synergists for Extraction of Uranium from Phosphoric Acid Solution

Abstract

The distribution of uranium(IV) and uranium(VI) between phosphoric acid solution and mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (H₂MEHP)-trioctyl phosphine oxide (TOPO), and mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid-dibutyl butyl phosphonate (DBBP) in kerosene diluent has been investigated. The effects of extractant composition, phosphoric acid concentration, temperature, uranium concentration, and shaking time on the uranium extraction have been examined. Reductive extraction and oxidative stripping processes for the separation and concentration of uranium from phosphoric acid solution with synergic systems of H₂MEHP-TOPO and H₂MEHP-DBBP are proposed and discussed.     

Liquid–Liquid Extraction of Uranium from Phosphoric Acid by HDEHP–CYANEX-921 Mixture

The extraction of uranyl ions from different phosphoric acid media by CYANEX-921 (a commercial trioctyl phosphine oxide) mixed with di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid diluted with odourless kerosene has been investigated. The effect of phosphoric acid, CYANEX-921 and HDEHP concentrations, as well as temperature on the extraction were studied. The extraction rate for UO₂²⁺ transfer from 5 M phosphoric acid to the organic phase containing a CYANEX-921–HDEHP mixture in a single drop column without external force was also studied. The mass transfer of uranium in the organic extractant single drop was investigated in terms of drop size, uranium concentration as well as other parameters. The extraction rate was found to be mainly dependent on uranium, HDEHP and phosphoric acid concentrations, and found to be mainly controlled by diffusion in the single drop. Further, it was found that CYANEX-921 can substitute TOPO to synergise the extraction of UO₂²⁺ by HDEHP. © 1997 SCI.     

Comparative Study on Reactive Extraction of Picolinic Acid with Six Different Extractants (Phosphoric and Aminic) in Two Different Diluents (Benzene and Decan-1-ol)

The equilibrium study on reactive extraction of picolinic acid by six different extractants (phosphoric and aminic) dissolved in two different diluents (benzene and decane-1-ol) is carried out to evaluate the performance of extractants and diluents. The extraction ability in terms of the distribution coefficient (K _D) is found to be in the order of tri-n-octylamine (TOA) ≥ tri-n-dodecylamine (TDDA) > di-2-ehylhexyl phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) > tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) > tri-octyl methyl ammonium chloride (Aliquat 336) > tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) with both diluents. Decan-1-ol is found to be the better solvating medium for the acid-extractant complexes. A mathematical model based on mass action law is employed to estimate the values of partition coefficient (P) and dimerization constant (D) in physical extraction, and equilibrium extraction constants (K _E) in chemical extraction. The values of loading ratios (Z) less than 0.5 imply the formation of (1:1) acid:extractant solvates in the organic phase. Decan-1-ol with TOA is the most effective solvation medium with K _{D, max} = 9 at 0.01 kmol · m^?3 of picolinic acid and K _E = 19.448 m³ · kmol^?1.     

Uranium Permeation Studies from Nitric Acid Medium across Supported Liquid Membrane Impregnated with PC88A and its Mixtures with Neutral Oxodonors in n-paraffin as Carriers

The permeation of U(VI) from nitric acid medium using supported liquid membrane (SLM) technique has been studied employing varying compositions of feed (uranium concentration and acidity), carrier, and receiving phase. Microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes were used as a solid support and 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC88A) either alone or as a mixture of neutral donors like tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP), tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP), and tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) dissolved in n-parrafin as the carrier. Oxalic acid/Na₂CO₃ solutions were used as the receiving phase. The permeability coefficient (P) of U(VI) decreased with increased nitric acid concentration up to 3 M HNO₃ and thereafter increased up to 5 M HNO₃. Uranium permeation was also investigated from its binary mixtures with other metal ions such as Zr(IV), Th(IV), and Y(III) at 2 M HNO₃ employing 0.1 M PC88A/n-paraffin as the carrier, and 0.5 M oxalic acid as the receiver phase. The presence of neutral donors in the carrier solution enhanced the permeation of U(VI) across the SLM in the following order: TEHP ～ TBP > TOPO using 0.1 M oxalic acid as receiver phase. There was significant enhancement in uranium transport for feed acidity ≤2 M HNO₃ employing 1 M Na₂CO₃ as the receiver phase. These studies suggested that 0.1 M PC88A and 0.5 M oxalic acid as carrier and receiver phases appear suitable for selective and faster transport of uranium from the uranyl nitrate raffinate (UNR) waste solutions.     

Studies on the Separation and Recovery of Uranium from Phosphoric Acid Medium Using a Synergistic Mixture of (2-Ethylhexyl)phosphonic Acid Mono 2-Ethyl Hexyl Ester (PC-88A) and Tri-n-octylphosphine Oxide (TOPO)

This paper deals with studies on the extraction of uranium(VI) from phosphoric acid medium using (2-ethylhexyl)phosphonic acid mono 2-ethylhexyl ester and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide individually as well as from their synergistic mixture. Different extraction parameters were investigated. With an increase in phosphoric acid concentration in the aqueous phase, the distribution ratio (Du) was found to decrease in all the cases. Synergism was observed when a mixture of PC-88A and TOPO was used. The synergistic mixture in the mole ratio of 4:1 (1.80 M PC-88A: 0.45 M TOPO) in xylene was found to be most suitable for uranium extraction. Among the various strip liquors used, 5% (w/v) solution of (NH₄)₂CO₃ was found to be the most suitable. Using a mixture of 1.8 M PC-88A and 0.45 M TOPO as the extractant system and 0.5 M ammonium carbonate as the stripping agent, uranium recovery was found to be better than 97% ± 3% in multiple contacts, (n = 2) from actual Davies Gray Waste while in case of wet phosphoric acid more than 52% ± 3% (n = 3) only could be recovered where n is the number of contacts.     

Efficacy of tri-n-octylamine,tri-n-butyl phosphate and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid for reactive separation of protocatechuic acid

ABSTRACT

Owing to its chemical and pharmacological significances, the efficacy of reactive separation of protocatechuic acid (0.001–0.01 kmol m^?3) from aqueous stream by means of tri-n-octylamine (TOA), di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as well as tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) in octanol has been investigated, in terms of extraction efficiency, loading ratio, equilibrium complexation constants, and distribution coefficients. Extraction ability was obtained in the order TOA (91.2%) > TBP (88.64%) > D2EHPA (86.43%). In all cases, 1:1 protocatechuic acid:extractant complex is obtained. Further, diffusion coefficients, number of stages for extraction systems, and relative basicity model were used for relating the efficacy.     

Uranium Permeation from Nitrate Medium Across Supported Liquid Membrane Containing Acidic Organophosphorous Extractants and their Mixtures with Neutral Oxodonors

Permeation of U(VI) from nitric acid solution has been studied across supported liquid membrane (SLM) using bis[2,4,4 trimethyl pentyl] phosphinic acid (Cyanex 272) either alone or in combination with neutral donors like Cyanex 923 (a mixture of four trialkyl phosphine oxides viz. R₃PO, R₂R′PO, RR′₂PO, and R′₃PO where R: n-octyl and R′: n-hexyl chain), TBP (tri-n-butyl phosphate), and TEHP (tris-2-ethylhexyl phosphate) dissolved in n-paraffin as carriers. Effect of various other parameters such as nature and concentration of receiver phase, feed acidity, uranium concentration, pore size, and membrane thickness on U(VI) transport across SLM were investigated. Transport behavior of U(VI) was also compared with other derivatives of phosphoric acids like 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid-mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC88A), dinonyl phenyl phosphoric acid (DNPPA) under identical conditions and it followed the order: Cyanex 272 > PC88A > DNPPA. 2 M H₂SO₄ was suitable for effective U(VI) transport across SLM. Presence of neutral donors in carrier showed significant enhancement in U(VI) permeation in the order: Cyanex 923 > TBP > TEHP. U(VI) transport decreased with increased membrane thickness as well as decrease in pore size. The optimized conditions were tested for recovery of U(VI) from uranyl nitrate raffinate (UNR) waste generated during purification of uranium.     

EXTRACTION OF ALKALINE EARTH AND ACTINIDE CATIONS BY MIXTURES OF DI(2-ETHYLHEXYL) ALKYLENEDIPHOSPHONIC ACIDS AND NEUTRAL SYNERGISTS

ABSTRACT

The synergistic extraction of alkaline earth (Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Ra²⁺) and actinide (Am³⁺, UO₂ ²⁺ and Th⁴⁺) cations from aqueous nitric acid solutions by mixtures of P,P^′-di(2-ethylhexyl) methylene-(H₂DEH[MDP]), ethylene-(H₂DEH[EDP]), and butylene-(H₂DEH[BuDP]) diphosphonic acids and neutral extractants in o-xylene has been investigated. The cis-syn-cis and cis-anti-cis stereoisomers of dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6), the unsubstituted 21-crown-7 (21C7) and dicyclohexano-21-crown-7 (DCH21C7) were used as neutral synergists of the crown ether type. For Am(III) synergistic effects were also investigated using neutral organophosphorus esters, such as, tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP), diamyl amylphosphonate (DA[AP]) and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as co-extractants. In all systems investigated, no synergistic extraction enhancement was observed for actinide ions. For the alkaline earth cations, synergistic effects were only observed when mixtures of H₂DEH[EDP] or H₂DEH-[BuDP] with DCH18C6 were used to extract Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Ra²⁺. No synergistic effects were observed for the extraction of alkaline earth cations by H₂DEH[MDP] or for the extraction of Ca²⁺ by any of the diphosphonic acids studied. The synergistic effects obtained with DCH18C6 were significantly higher for the cis-syn-cis than for the cis-anti-cis stereoisomer.     

Development of New Cationic Exchangers for the Recovery of Uranium (VI) from Concentrated Phosphoric Acid

The extraction of uranium (VI) from 5.3 mol.L^?1 phosphoric acid with a series of phosphoric, phosphinic, dithiophosphoric, or dithiophosphinic acid derivatives (0.5 mol.L^?1) in mixture with 0.125 mol.L^?1 TOPO in Isane IP 185 has been investigated. In the frame of the present work, eight acidic phosphorus and thiophosphorus compounds have been synthesized: bis(1,3-diisobutoxypropan-2-yl) phosphoric acid, bis(1,3-bis-(butylthio)propan-2-yl) phosphoric acid, bis(5,8,12,15-tetraoxanonadecan-10-yl) phosphoric acid, bis(1-butoxyheptan-2-yl) phosphoric acid, bis(undecan-6-yl) phosphoric acid, bis(2-(1,3-dibutoxypropan-2-yloxy)ethyl) phosphoric acid, bis(3-butoxy-2-(butoxymethyl)-2-methylpropyl) phosphinic acid, bis(1,3-dibutoxypropan-2-yl) dithiophosphoric acid. The properties of these molecules in mixtures with TOPO have been compared with those of other extractants such as bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) dithiophosphoric acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphinic acid, Cyanex® 272, and Cyanex® 301. The replacement of phosphoric acid-type extractant by their phosphinic homologues dramatically decreases the affinity for uranium (VI) whereas the replacement of the phosphoric and phosphinic acid-type extractants by their dithio homologues affects positively the distribution coefficient of uranium (VI). It also appears that the steric hindrance effect is responsible for a significant decrease of the distribution coefficient of uranium (VI). Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Separation Science and Technology to view the free supplemental file.     

Solvent Extraction and Spectrophotometric Studies on Synergistic Extraction of Plutonium(IV) by Mixtures of Thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) and Tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) in Benzene

Abstract

The synergistic extraction of Pu(IV) from perchloric acid solutions into mixtures of thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) and tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) in benzene was investigated by solvent extraction methods. The adduct responsible for synergism was found to be Pu(TTA)₄·TBP. The adduct formation between Pu(TTA)₄ and TBP in the benzene phase was also investigated by spectrophotometry. The equilibrium constants for the equilibria involved were obtained both by solvent extraction and by spectrophotometric methods.     

Note: Effect of Temperature in the Extraction of Uranium and Plutonium by Triisoamyl Phosphate

Abstract

The extraction of uranium(VI) by triisoamyl phosphate (TiAP) has been studied to derive the thermodynamic parameters such as entropy change and the free-energy change. The extraction of U(VI) and Pu(IV) has also been studied with 1.1 M solutions of tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP), tri-n-amyl phosphate (TAP), and TiAP as a function of temperature. While the enthalpy of U(VI) extraction was found to be exothermic, the enthalpy for the extraction of Pu(IV) was always found to be endothermic. The temperature at which the distribution ratios of U(VI) and Pu(IV) cross each other (the temperature of inversion) has been derived for TBP, TAP, and TiAP, and the results reveal the lowest temperature of inversion occurs for TiAP. The results indicate the advantage of TiAP as an extractant in avoiding plutonium reflux during the PUREX process involving high plutonium feed solutions, in addition to lower aqueous solubility, freedom from the third-phase formation problem, lower degradation, and better economics.     

Extraction equilibria of chromium(VI) from sulfuric acid solutions with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide

The extraction equilibria of chromium(VI) from sulfuric acid solutions with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) dissolved in kerosene at 25°C have been studied. The possible complexes of chromium(VI) with TOPO in organic phase and extraction constants were determined by best fitting the distribution coefficient expression of Cr(VI) with experimental data using the Rosenbrock method. The extraction reactions, including the equilibria among seven species in aqueous phase (H₂CrO₄, HCrO₄⁻, HCr₂O₇⁻, Cr₂O₇²⁻, CrSO₇²⁻, HSO₄⁻ and SO₄²⁻) and five possible complexes in organic phase (H₂CrO₄·(TOPO), H₂Cr₂O₇·(TOPO)₃, H₂CrSO₇·(TOPO)₃, H₂SO₄·(TOPO)₂ and (H₂SO₄)₂·(TOPO)₂) were proposed. The influence of initial sulfuric acid concentration on the fraction of extracted complexes and on the distribution coefficients of Cr(VI) is discussed. This result was helpful for the clarification of the extraction reactions of Cr(VI). © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry     

Separation of U(VI) and Th(IV) from Nd(III) by Cross-Current Solvent Extraction Mode Using Tri-iso-amyl Phosphate as the Extractant

Separation of U(VI) and Th(IV) from Nd(III) in nitric acid media with solutions of tri-iso-amyl phosphate (TiAP) in n-dodecane has been studied by batch extraction in cross-current mode to evaluate the feasibility of employing TiAP as an alternate extractant to tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) for monazite ore processing. The interference of U(VI), Th(IV), and Nd(III) in the presence of each other during their analyses by titrations has also been validated in the present study. The extraction studies substantiate that the high solvent loading conditions can be achieved without organic phase splitting in the extraction from concentrated feed solutions with TiAP based solvents, whereas TBP forms third phase under such conditions. The separation factor for Th(IV) with respect to Nd(III) can be improved with TiAP as the extractant and by carrying out the extraction with feed solution in 8 M HNO₃. Solvent extraction studies conducted with solutions of U(VI), Th(IV), and Nd(III) in nitric acid media by TBP and TiAP revealed the identical extraction, scrubbing, and stripping behavior of both the extractants with respect to U(VI), Th(IV), and Nd(III). The results insinuate that TiAP can be used as an alternate extractant to TBP for the separation of U(VI) and Th(IV) from monazite ores. The data generated in the present study can be exploited for the development of flow sheets using TiAP based solvents to separate U(VI) and Th(IV) from rare earths for the processing of monazite leach solutions.     

SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF Ni(ll) WITH THE ACTIVE COMPONENT OF LIX 54

ABSTRACT

The solvent extraction of Ni(II) with the active component of the commercial extractant Lix 54 in different synergic mixtures, using tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO), tri-n-laurylamine (TLA), di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP), tributylphosphate (TBP) and 4-methylpyridine as synergic reagents is compared in this work, the highest synergic effects corresponding to the presence of TOPO and 4-methylpyridine. For this reason, the extraction of Ni(ll) from a 1.0 mol.dnr³ KN0₃media by the mixture of the active component of Lix 54 and 4-methylpyridine has been extensively studied in this work. The results have been treated both graphically and numerically in order to find a suitable chemical model of the species responsible for the extraction as well as their extraction constants.     

The extraction of uranium (VI) and thorium (IV) from nitric acid solutions by tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide

The distribution of uranium(vi) and thorium(iv) between nitric acid solutions and solutions of tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) in kerosene has been investigated. The organic phases have been studied by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Further the absorption spectra of both the aqueous and organic phases have been examined in the extraction of uranium(vi).     

Solvent Extraction of Plutonium(IV), Uranium(VI), and Some Fission Products with Di-n-octylsulfoxide

Abstract

Extraction behavior of plutonium(IV), uranium(VI), and some fission products from aqueous nitric acid media with di-n-octylsulfoxide (DOSO) has been studied over a wide range of conditions. Both the actinides are extracted essentially completely, whereas fission product contaminants like Zr, Ru, Ce, Eu, and Sr show negligible extraction. The absorption spectra of sulfoxide extracts containing either Pu⁴⁺ or UO₂ ²⁺ indicate the species extracted from nitric acid into the organic phase to be Pu(NO₃)₄. 2DOSO and UO₂(NO₃)₂. 2DOSO, respectively. Extraction of these actinides decreases with increasing temperature, indicating the extraction to be exothermic. DOSO extracts plutonium and uranium better than di-n-hexylsulfoxide (DHSO) under all condition and is also more soluble in aromatic diluents than the latter. The effect of gamma radiation on the extraction properties of DOSO is found to be similar to that of DHSO.     

Comparative Evaluation of Tri-n-butyl Phosphate (TBP) and Tris(2-ethylhexyl) Phosphate (TEHP) for the Recovery of Uranium from Monazite Leach Solution

Separation of U(VI) from Th(IV) and rare earth elements (REEs) present in monazite leach solution (nitric acid medium) has been studied using tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP) and tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) dissolved in n-paraffin as solvents under varying experimental conditions such as nitric acid, extractant and metal ion concentrations etc. There is an increase in distribution ratio of U(VI) (D _U ) with increase in aqueous phase acidity up to 5 M HNO₃ beyond which a decrease is observed. Typically for 1 × 10^?3 M U(VI), the D_U values increase from 8 (0.5 M HNO₃) to 80 (5 M HNO₃) for 1.1 M TEHP, and from 2 (0.5 M HNO₃) to 43 (5 M HNO₃) for 1.1 M TBP in n-paraffin. The separation factors of U(VI) (β: D_U/D_M) over metal ions (M) such as Th(IV) and Y(III) (chosen as a representative of heavy REEs) are better for TEHP than TBP at all nitric acid concentrations. Batch solvent extraction data have been used to construct the McCabe-Thiele diagrams for the recovery of U(VI) employing TEHP as the extractant. A process flow sheet has been proposed with 0.2 M TEHP in n-paraffin as solvent for the recovery of U(VI) from simulated monazite leach solution in HNO₃ medium.     

Modeling of Liquid-Liquid Extraction (LLE) Equilibria Using Gibbs Energy Minimization (GEM) for the System TBP–HNO3–UO2–H2O–Diluent

Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) is a widely used separation method for an extensive range of metals including actinides. The Gibbs energy minimization (GEM) method is used to compute the complex chemical equilibria for the LLE system HNO₃–H₂O–UO₂(NO₃)₂–TBP plus diluent at 25°C. The nonelectrolyte phase is treated as an ideal mixture defined by eight tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) complexes plus the inert diluent. The Pitzer method is used to capture nonidealities in the concentrated electrolyte phase. The generated extraction isotherms are in very good agreement with reported experimental data for various TBP loadings and electrolyte concentrations demonstrating the adequacy of this approach to analyze complex multiphase multicomponent systems. The model is robust and yet flexible allowing for expansion to other LLE systems and coupling with computational tools for parameter analysis and optimization.     

Synergistic Extraction of Plutonium (IV) from Nitric Acid Medium by Mixtures of TOPO and HTTA

Abstract

Synergistic solvent extraction of Pu(IV) from nitric acid medium by mixtures of thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in benzene was investigated by a method developed for such studies. The species involved in the extraction were identified as Pu(NO₃)₄ · 2TOPO, Pu-(N0₃)₃(TTA) · 2TOPO, Pu(NO₃)₂(TTA)₂ · TOPO, and Pu(NO₃)(TTA)₃ · TOPO. The concentration equilibrium constants for the extraction of all the suggested species from 1.0 M nitric acid were calculated from the data obtained, and the concentration equilibrium constants for their formation in the organic phase were estimated.     

Speciation of Molybdenum (VI) In Aqueous and Organic Phases of Selected Extraction Systems

Abstract

The extraction study of molybdenum (VI) by 30% tri-n-butyl phosphate in n-dodecane and 0.2 M octyl (phenyl)-N,N-di-isobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide in 30% tri-n-butyl phosphate extraction systems was performed from aqueous solution containing HCl, HNO₃ and acetohydroxamic acid. Depending on extraction conditions, acetohydroxamic acid can significantly affect the speciation of molybdenum and can increase or decrease its distribution ratio. Our investigation confirmed the strong ability of the acetohydroxamic acid to form complexes with Mo even in highly acidic solutions. UV absorption spectra confirmed that a fraction of the Mo(VI)-AHA species can be present in the organic phase after extraction.