Adsorption of Some Typical Fission Products onto a Novel Macroporous Silica-based Dialkyl Derivative of Pyridine Impregnated Material

A macroporous silica-based multidentate soft-ligand 2,6-bis(5,6-di(iso-hexyl)-1,2,4-triazine-3-yl)pyridine (BDIHTP) material, BDIHTP/SiO₂-P, was synthesized by impregnating and immobilizating BDIHTP into the pores of the SiO₂-P particles. The adsorption behavior of some typical fission products Mo(VI), Zr(IV), Ru(III), Pd(II), Rh(III), and a part of rare earths La(III), Ce(III), Nd(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Dy(III), Er(III), Yb(III), and Y(III) contained in highly active liquid waste (HLW) onto BDIHTP/SiO₂-P was investigated. The effects of contact time and the concentration of HNO₃ in the range of 0.3 M to 5.0 M were examined. The BDIHTP/SiO₂-P materials showed excellent adsorption ability and high selectivity for Pd(II) greater than all of the tested metals. It was contributed to the effective complexation of Pd(II), a soft-Lewis acid and an electron-pair acceptor, with BDIHTP, a soft-Lewis base and an electron-pair donor. The chromatographic partitioning of the tested metals from 1.0 M HNO₃ by BDIHTP/SiO₂-P packed column was performed. Pd(II) was effectively eluted with 0.2 M thiourea-0.1 M HNO₃ and then separated from the others. The results are beneficial to partitioning of the long-lived minor actinides and Pd(II) together from HLW by the BDIHTP/SiO₂-P materials.     

Preparation of a macroporous silica–pyridine multidentate material and its adsorption behavior for some typical elements

A new macroporous silica‐based‐polymer (SiO₂‐P) soft ligand composite material, 2,6‐bis(5,6‐di(iso‐butyl)‐1,2,4‐triazine‐3‐yl)pyridine (BDIBTP/SiO₂‐P), was synthesized by impregnation and immobilization of BDIBTP and 1‐octanol molecules into the pores of the SiO₂‐P particles. The impact of some typical alkali metal and alkaline earths Cs(I), Na(I), K(I), Rb(I), Sr(II), and Ba(II) containing in highly active liquid waste (HLW) on the adsorption of Pd(II) onto BDIBTP/SiO₂‐P was studied. It was performed by examining the effects of contact time and the HNO₃ concentration in the range of 0.3–7.0 M. BDIBTP/SiO₂‐P showed strong adsorption ability and high selectivity for Pd(II) over all the tested metals. The chromatographic partitioning of Pd(II) from a simulated HLW solution was conducted by BDIBTP/SiO₂‐P packed column. Pd(II) was effectively eluted with 0.2 M thiourea–0.1 M HNO₃. The others showed no adverse impact on separation of Pd(II). The results are beneficial to partitioning of minor actinides and Pd(II) together from HLW by BDIBTP/SiO₂‐P in the MPS process developed. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012     

Preparation of macroporous silica-based crown ether materials for strontium separation

To develop a separation process of Sr(II), a macroporous silica-based 4,4′,(5′)-di(tert-butylcyclohexano)-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH18C6) polymeric material, (DtBuCH18C6+Oct)/SiO₂-P, was synthesized by impregnating and immobilizing DtBuCH18C6 and 1-octanol into the pores of the macroporous SiO₂-P particles support. DtBuCH18C6 was modified with 1-octanol through hydrogen bonding. The adsorption of simulant elements of some typical fission products Ru(III), Pd(II), Ba(II), Mo(VI), La(III), Y(III), Sr(II), Cs(I) and those of non-fission products Na(I) and K(I) onto (DtBuCH18C6+Oct)/SiO₂-P were studied at 298 K. The effects of the HNO₃ concentration in a range of 0.1–5.0 M and contact time on the adsorption were investigated. (DtBuCH18C6+Oct)/SiO₂-P showed excellent adsorption ability and high selectivity for Sr(II) over all of the tested metals except Ba(II). Partitioning of Sr(II) from a 2.0 M HNO₃ solution containing ~5.0 × 10^?3 M of the tested metals was conducted utilizing (DtBuCH18C6+Oct)/SiO₂-P packed column. Pd(II), Mo(VI), Y(III), La(III), Ru(III), K(I), Cs(I), and Na(I) showed no adsorption and flowed into effluent along with 2.0 M HNO₃. Sr(II) was retained on (DtBuCH18C6+Oct)/SiO₂-P and was eluted effectively by H₂O, while Ba(II) showed similar elution behavior. The bleeding of total organic carbon leaked from (DtBuCH18C6+Oct)/SiO₂-P was evaluated. It was demonstrated that the macroporous silica-based (DtBuCH18C6+Oct)/SiO₂-P materials are promising in separation of Sr(II) from high level radioactive waste.     

Adsorption Behaviors of Platinum Group Metals in Simulated High Level Liquid Waste Using Macroporous (MOTDGA-TOA)/SiO2-P Silica-based Absorbent

As fundamental research for separation of platinum group metals (PGMs) from high level liquid waste (HLLW) by macroporous silica-based adsorbent, (MOTDGA-TOA)/SiO₂-P adsorbent was prepared by impregnation of N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di-n-octyl-thiodiglycolamide (MOTDGA) and Tri-n-octylamine (TOA) into silica/polymer composite support (SiO₂-P). The adsorption behavior of Ru(III), Rh(III), and Pd(II) in simulated HLLW onto the adsorbent were investigated by the batch method to obtain their corresponding equilibrium and kinetic data. The adsorbent showed strong adsorption for Pd(II) and the adsorption reached equilibrium within 2 hr. High distribution coefficient (K _d) values for Pd(II) were obtained in 0.1–1 M HNO₃ concentration. In addition, the use of both MOTDGA and TOA improved adsorption of Ru(III) and Rh(III) better than individual use of them. Especially, the K _d value for Ru(III) towards (MOTDGA-TOA)/SiO₂-P adsorbent was three times larger than that in the adsorption using only with MOTDGA or TOA as extractant. The adsorptions of Ru(III), Rh(III), and Pd(II) followed the Langmuir adsorption model, and were found to be controlled by the chemisorption mechanism.     

Synthesis of a macroporous silica‐based derivative of pyridine material and its application in separation of palladium

A novel macroporous silica‐based 2,6‐bis(5,6‐dibutyl‐1,2,4‐triazine‐3‐yl)pyridine (BDBTP) material, BDBTP/SiO₂‐P, was prepared through impregnation and immobilization of BDBTP and octanol into the pores of the SiO₂‐P particles. The adsorption of 10 typical fission and nonfission elements contained in highly active liquid waste (HLW) onto BDBTP/SiO₂‐P was investigated by examining the effect of contact time and the HNO₃ concentration in the range of 0.1–5.0 M. Pd(II), a weak Lewis acid and an electron‐pair acceptor, was strongly complexed with nitrogen, a weak Lewis base and an electron‐pair donor. BDBTP/SiO₂‐P showed excellent adsorption ability and high selectivity for Pd(II) over all the tested metals. The separation of Pd(II) from a simulated HLW was performed by BDBTP/SiO₂‐P packed column. Pd(II) was effectively eluted with 0.2 M thiourea and separated from the others. It demonstrated that in HNO₃, application of the macroporous silica‐based BDBTP/SiO₂‐P material in partitioning and recovery of Pd(II) from HLW is promising. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010     

Synthesis of a Novel Macroporous Silica-Calix[4]arene-Crown Supramolecular Recognition Material and its Adsorption for Cesium and some Typical Metals in Highly Active Liquid Waste

Abstract

A novel macroporous silica-based 25,27-bis(iso-propyloxy)calix[4]arene-26,28-crown-6 (BiPCalix[4]C6) supramolecular recognition material, BiPCalix[4]C6/SiO₂-P, was synthesized. It was prepared by impregnation and the immobilization of the BiPCalix[4]C6 molecule into the pores of the macroporous SiO₂-P particles. The adsorption of Cs(I) and some typical elements Na(I), K(I), Rb(I), Sr(II), Ba(II), Ru(III), Mo(VI), La(III), and Y(III) onto the BiPCalix[4]C6/SiO₂-P material was investigated. The effects of the HNO₃ concentration, contact time, and temperature on the adsorption of the tested metals were studied. It was found that at the optimum concentration of 3.0 M HNO₃, BiPCalix[4]C6/SiO₂-P exhibited excellent adsorption ability and high selectivity for Cs(I) over all the tested elements, which showed weak or almost no adsorption except Rb(I). A pseudo-second-order model was found to be able to describe the adsorption kinetics of Cs(I). The chemical complexation of Cs(I) with BiPCalix[4]C6/SiO₂-P was considered to be the rate-controlling step. Meanwhile, the thermodynamic parameters of the Cs(I) adsorption, ΔH?, ΔG?, and ΔS? were determined. The adsorption of Cs(I) onto BiPCalix[4]C6/SiO₂-P was exothermic. It was demonstrated that in 3.0 M HNO₃, the novel macroporous BiPCalix[4]C6/SiO₂-P material shows promise for the partitioning of Cs(I) from highly active liquid waste.     

Adsorption Behavior of Sr(II) and some Typical Co‐existent Metals Contained in High Level Liquid Waste onto a Modified Macroporous Silica‐Based Polymeric DtBuCH18C6 Composite

To significantly reduce the bleeding of 4,4′,(5′)‐di(tert‐butylcyclohexano)‐18‐crown‐ 6 (DtBuCH18C6), an improved novel macroporous silica‐based polymeric composite (DtBuCH18C6+TBP)/SiO₂‐P was synthesized. It was performed by impregnating and immobilizing DtBuCH18C6 into the pores of the SiO₂‐P particles via the molecular modification of DtBuCH18C6 with a tri‐n‐butyl phosphate (TBP) through hydrogen bonding. The adsorption of a few typical simulated fission and non‐fission products Pd(II), La(III), Na(I), K(I), Sr(II), Ba(II), Ru(III), Cs(I), Mo(VI), and Y(III) onto (DtBuCH18C6+TBP)/SiO₂‐P was investigated at 323 K. It was done by examining the effect of contact time and the HNO₃ concentration in a range of 0.1–5.0 M. Sr(II), one of the main heat emitting nuclides, showed optimum adsorption onto (DtBuCH18C6+TBP)/SiO₂‐P in 2.0 HNO₃, while others showed very weak or almost no adsorption except a portion of Ba(II). The leaching of TBP and DtBuCH18C6 from (DtBuCH18C6+TBP)/SiO₂‐P was evaluated. The average content of DtBuCH18C6, 298.7 ppm, leached from (DtBuCH18C6+TBP)/SiO₂‐P in 2.0 M HNO₃ at 323 K was obviously lower than that of 797.3 ppm leached from DtBuCH18C6/SiO₂‐P at 298 K. The significant reduction of DtBuCH18C6 leaching from its macroporous silica‐based polymeric adsorbent was achieved. It is useful for the recycle operation of the silica‐based DtBuCH18C6 impregnated polymeric composite in chromatographic partitioning of Sr(II) from high level liquid waste (HLLW).     

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.     

SPEC: A New Process for Strontium and Cesium Partitioning Utilizing Two Macroporous Silica-Based Supramolecular Recognition Agents Impregnated Polymeric Composites

Abstract

To effectively separate two heat generators Cs(I) and Sr(II) from a highly active liquid waste (HLW), two macroporous silica-based polymeric composites (Calix[4]arene-R14 + M)/SiO₂-P and (DtBuCH18C6 + M)/SiO₂-P were synthesized. It was done by impregnating and immobilizing the supramolecular recognition agent, 1,3-[(2,4-diethylheptyl ethoxy)oxy]-2,4-crown-6-calix[4]arene (Calix[4]arene-R14) or 4,4′,(5′)-di-(tert-butylcyclo hexano)-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH18C6), into the pores of the macroporous SiO₂-P particles with a mean diameter of 50 µm. It was found that in the first column packed with (Calix[4]arene-R14 + M)/SiO₂-P, all of the tested elements were effectively eluted and separated into two groups: (1 Horwitz , E.P. ; Mark , L.D. ; Fisher , D.E. ( 1991 ) SREX: A new process for the extraction and recovery of strontium from acidic nuclear waste stream . Solvent Extr. Ion Exch. , 9 ( 1 ): 1 – 25 .[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) Na(I), K(I), Sr(II), Ba(II), Rh(III), Ru(III), Pd(II), Zr(IV), RE(III) (La-Lu and Y), and Mo(VI) (Sr-containing group), and (2 Wood , D.J. ; Law , J.D. ( 1997 ) Evaluation of the SREX solvent extraction process for the removal of ⁹⁰Sr and hazardous metal ions from acidic nuclear waste solutions containing high concentrations of interfering alkali metal ions . Sep. Sci. Technol. , 32 ( 1–4 ): 241 – 253 .[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) Cs(I)-Rb(I) (Cs-group) by eluting with 4.0 M HNO₃ and water, respectively, at 298 K. The heat emitting element Cs(I) flowed into the second group along with Rb(I), while Sr(II) showed no sorption and flowed into the Sr-containing group. In the second column packed with (DtBuCH18C6 + M)/SiO₂-P, the Sr-containing group was separated into (1 Horwitz , E.P. ; Mark , L.D. ; Fisher , D.E. ( 1991 ) SREX: A new process for the extraction and recovery of strontium from acidic nuclear waste stream . Solvent Extr. Ion Exch. , 9 ( 1 ): 1 – 25 .[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) Na(I), K(I), Rh(III), Ru(III), RE(III) (La-Lu and Y), Pd(II), Zr(IV), and Mo(VI) (non-sorption group), and (2 Wood , D.J. ; Law , J.D. ( 1997 ) Evaluation of the SREX solvent extraction process for the removal of ⁹⁰Sr and hazardous metal ions from acidic nuclear waste solutions containing high concentrations of interfering alkali metal ions . Sep. Sci. Technol. , 32 ( 1–4 ): 241 – 253 .[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) Sr(II)-Ba(II) (Sr-group), by eluting with 2.0 M HNO₃ and water, respectively. The heat emitting element Sr(II) adsorbed by (DtBuCH18C6 + M)/SiO₂-P flowed into the second group along with Ba(II). Based on the results, a new process entitled SPEC (Strontium/Cesium Partitioning from HLW by Extraction Chromatography) for heat generator partitioning from a simulated highly active liquid waste utilizing two macroporous silica-based supramolecular recognition composites has been developed.     

Adsorption Behavior of Platinum Group Metals onto a Silica-based (Crea+Dodec)/SiO2-P Extraction Resin from Simulated High Level Liquid Waste

Basic properties of a silica-based macroporous N’,N’-di-n-hexyl-thiodiglycolamide (Crea) extraction resin, (Crea+Dodec)/SiO₂-P were examined. This extraction resin was synthesized by impregnating Crea and its modifier, n-Dodecyl alcohol (Dodec) into the macroporous SiO₂-P support with a mean diameter of 50 μm. Adsorption behavior of platinum group metals (PGMs) and some fission product elements from simulated high level liquid waste onto the resin was investigated by batch experiment. It was found that (Crea+Dodec)/SiO₂-P extraction resin exhibited good adsorption selectivity for PGMs over other tested elements in 0.1-5.0 M HNO₃ solution. This resin showed strong affinity to Pd(II) especially in a short contact time but almost no adsorption for rare earth elements. Adsorption behavior of PGMs in experiment could be expressed by the Langmuir monomolecular layer adsorption mode. Meanwhile, adsorption results were fitted well with the pseudo-second order model and the rate-controlling step of this adsorption process was governed by the chemisorption process. In addition, the adsorption isotherms and thermodynamic parameters of tested elements were calculated by the Langmuir, Freundlich, and van’t Hoff equations, respectively.     

Degradation of Methyl β-D-Ribopyranoside and Methyl β-D-Xylopyranoside by Oxygen in Aqueous Sodium Hydroxide Solution

Methyl β-D-ribopyranoside (1) and methyl β-D-xylopyranoside (2) were degraded by oxygen (0.682 MPa partial pressure) in 1.25 M sodium hydroxide at 120°C. The degradations of 1 and 2 were similar to the previously reported degradations of 1,5-anhydroribitol (3) and 1,5-anhydroxylitol (4), respectively.⁴ Both hydrogen peroxide and stable organic peroxides were detected in the reactions of 1 and 2. The riboside 1 degraded faster than the xyloside 2. This difference in reactivity is proposed to be a function of the relative acidity of the glycosides. Ionization of hydroxyl groups is postulated to be favored in 1, thus facilitating the initiation of the free radical degradation. The degradations of both 1 and 2 exhibited complex kinetics indicating autoinhibited reactions. In spite of the differences in reactivity, glycosidic bond cleavage occurred in approximately 60% of the degradations for both 1 and 2. C-1 radicals, resulting from abstraction of the anomeric hydrogen atom, are proposed to cause the observed autoinhibition via termination reactions with α-hydroxyhydroperoxyl radicals. However, decomposition of the glycosides via C-1 radicals is not believed to constitute a major degradation pathway since the reactivities of 1 and 2 were essentially the same as the analogous 1,5-anhydroalditols, i.e. 3 and 4, respectively. The major acidic degradation products of 1 and 2 were identical, but were formed in different relative ratios. The major acidic products were methoxyacetic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, glyceric acid, a methyl 3-C-carboxyfuranoside, and two isomeric 2-C-carboxyfuranosides.     

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.     

Effects of Cα -Oxidation in the Fungal Metabolism of Lignin

C_α-Oxidation (benzyl alcohol oxidation) is a prominent reaction in the degradation of lignin by white-rot fungi. This study showed that such oxidation markedly retards metabolism of a nonphenolic β-O-4 model compound, 1-(3-methoxy-4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-(o-methoxyphenoxy)propane-1,3-diol, by cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium Burds. Surprisingly, however, selective chemical C_α -oxidation of spruce lignins enhanced their depolymerization by the cultures. Thus the decrease in intrinsic degradability of substructures is more than compensated by another effect of C_α-oxidation in lignin. One possibility is that the oxidation increases the accessibility of the lignin to enzymes by decreasing its steric complexity. This study also revealed that the β-O-4 model, like lignin in wood, is degraded in part via C_α-oxidation by P. chrysosporium. Reduction of the α-carbonyl groups thus formed does not occur. Addition of L-glutamate to ligninolytic cultures completely suppresses their competence to degrade the model compound, as it does their ability to oxidize lignin to CO₂. This result strengthens past evidence indicating that substructure models are metabolized by the same enzyme system as lignin.     

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.     

THE EXTRACTION OF Am(III) FROM NITRIC ACID BY OCTYL(PHENYL)-N,N-DIISOBUTYLCARBAMOYLMETHYLPHOSPHINE OXIDE - TRI-n-BUTYL PHOSPHATE MIXTURES

Abstract

The extraction behavior of Am(III) from nitric acid by octy1(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoyl methyphosphine oxides, OØD[IB]CMPO, in the presence of tributylphosphate, TBP, has been studied using diethylbenzene, decalin, and normal aliphatic hydrocarbon diluents. Relative to ØD[IB]CMPO alone, mixtures of TBP and OØD[IB]CMPO show a slight enhancement in the extraction of Am(III) from nitric acid solution above 2 M and a moderate decrease in extraction for lower acid concentrations. The net effect of TBP addition to OØD[IB]CMPO (as well as other selected carbamoyl methylphosphoryl extractants) is a relative insensitivity of the distribution ratio of Am(III) to HNO₃ concentration in the range of 0.5 M to 6 M and facilitated stripping of Am(III) with dilute acid. Since a continuous variation study of Am(III) extraction using mixtures of ØOD[IB]CMPO and TBP at a fixed total concentration revealed no evidence of a mixed complex, the TBP appears to be behaving primarily as a phase modifier

The most significant benefit gained from addition of TBP to ØD[IB]CMPO is the increased metal ion loading capacity and extractant compatibility with alicyclic and aliphatic diluents. The use of TBP to overcome phase compatibility with other bifunctional extractants of the carbamoylmethylphosphoryl type and the use of other phase modifiers with ØD[IB]CMPO have also been investigated.     

Chromatographic partitioning of cesium by a macroporous silica‐calix[4]arene‐crown supramolecular recognition composite

A macroporous silica‐based 1,3‐[(2,4‐diethyl‐heptylethoxy)oxy]‐2,4‐crown‐6‐calix[4]arene (Calix[4]arene‐R14) supramolecular recognition polymeric composite, (Calix[4]+Oct)/SiO₂‐P, was synthesized. It was performed by impregnating and immobilizing Calix[4]arene‐R14 and n‐octanol into the pores of the macroporous SiO₂‐P particles support. n‐Octanol was used to modify Calix[4]arene‐R14 through hydrogen bonding. The effect of eight typical fission products contained in highly active liquid waste (HLW) on the adsorption of Cs(I), one of the heat generators, was investigated at 298 K by examining the effect of contact time and the HNO₃ concentration in a range of 0.3–7.0 M. (Calix[4]+Oct)/SiO₂‐P showed excellent adsorption ability and high selectivity for Cs(I) at 4.0 M HNO₃ over the tested elements. The partitioning of Cs(I) from a simulated HLW was operated by (Calix[4]+Oct)/SiO₂‐P packed column. Cs(I) was able to be effectively eluted by water and separated from the tested metals. It is demonstrated that (Calix[4]+Oct)/SiO₂‐P is promising to apply in chromatographic separation of Cs(I) from HLW. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010     

Impregnation synthesis of a novel macroporous silica-based crown ether polymeric material modified by 1-dodecanol and its adsorption for strontium and some coexistent metals

4,4′,(5′)-Di-(tert-butylcyclohexano)-18-crown-6(DtBuCH18C6) is a chelating agent having high selectivity mostly for Sr(II). To significantly reduce its leakage by molecular modification, a macroporous silica-based DtBuCH18C6 polymeric composite (DtDo/SiO₂–P) was synthesized. It was performed by impregnating and immobilizing DtBuCH18C6 and 1-dodecanol molecules into the pores of the SiO₂–P particles utilizing an advanced vacuum sucking technique. The adsorption of a few fission and non-fission products Sr(II), Ba(II), Cs(I), Ru(III), Mo(VI), Na(I), K(I), Pd(II), La(III), and Y(III) onto DtDo/SiO₂–P was investigated. It was done by examining the effects of contact time and the HNO₃ concentration in a range of 0.1–5.0 M at 298 K. At the optimum concentration of 2.0 M HNO₃, DtDo/SiO₂–P exhibited strong adsorption ability and high selectivity for Sr(II) great over all of the tested elements, which showed very weak or almost no adsorption except Ba(II). Meanwhile, It was found that the quantity of total organic carbon (TOC) leaked from DtDo/SiO₂–P in 2.0 M HNO₃, 187.5 ppm, was lower than 658.4 ppm that leaked from DtBuCH18C6/SiO₂–P, which was not modified. This was ascribed to the effective association of DtBuCH18C6 and 1-dodecanol through intermolecular interaction. The reduction of DtBuCH18C6 leakage by molecular modification with 1-dodecanol was achieved. It was of great benefit to application of DtDo/SiO₂–P in chromatographic partitioning of Sr(II), one of the main heat generators, from high level liquid waste (HLLW) in reprocessing of nuclear spent fuel in the MAREC (Minor Actinides Recovery from HLLW by Extraction Chromatography) process developed recently.     

COMPARISON OF CATION EXCHANGE RESINS FOR RECOVERING AMERICIUM AND PLUTONIUM FROM CHLORIDE SALTS

ABSTRACT

Macroreticular and microreticular cation exchange resins were compared for their capability of recovering americium and plutonium from solutions of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium chlorides. Americium and plutonium breakthrough capacity and elution behavior of the resins were determined. Of the resins tested, Dowex MSC-1 was selected as the most efficient because of its favorable capacity and excellent elution behavior. Actinide eluting agents were also studied. More concentrated (9.0M) nitric acid was found to elute plutonium faster than 7.0MHNO₃used previously while 7.0MHNO₃-0.1MNaNO₂eluted americium fastest.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a New Polymer-Based Supramolecular Recognition Material and its Adsorption for Cesium

A novel macroporous polymer-based 25,27-bis(iso-propyloxy)calix[4]arene-26,28-crown-6 (BiPCalix[4]C6) supramolecular recognition material, BiPCalix[4]C6/XAD-7, was synthesized. It was performed by vacuum impregnation and immobilization of BiPCalix[4]C6 into the pores of the macroporous XAD-7 particles. The composition and structure were characterized using SEM, BET, TG-DSC, FT-IR, and XRD, respectively. The adsorption of some typical metals contained in highly active liquid waste (HLW) such as Ru(III), Mo(VI), K(I), Rb(I), Cs(I), Sr(II), Ba(II), La(III), and Y(III) onto the BiPCalix[4]C6/XAD-7 materials was investigated. The effects of the HNO₃ concentration and contact time on the adsorption of the tested metals were evaluated. It was found that at the optimum concentration of 4.0 M HNO₃, BiPCalix[4]C6/XAD-7 exhibited excellent adsorption ability and high selectivity for Cs(I) over all the other tested metals, which showed weak or almost no adsorption except Rb(I). It demonstrated that application of the polymer-based supramolecular recognition material, BiPCalix[4]C6/XAD-7, in partitioning of Cs(I) from HLW is promising.