Choice of organic diluents for the extractive regeneration of the spent fuel of nuclear power plants

Conclusions The length of the n-alkane chain which provides a basis for the diluent can lie within the interval C₁₁-C₁₅. Within this interval, the ratio of the separate n-alkanes in the diluent can be regulated. It is better, however, to use the hydrocarbons C₁₁-C₁₅; their rather high flash point gives them a slight edge over the higher members of the group in regard to their compatibility with the extracting solvates of the actinide nitrates and also with regard to their hydrodynamic characteristics. The content of aliphatic acids and alcohols 0.01 M; of unsaturated compounds 0.005 M; of aromatic hydrocarbons 1 vol.%. These requirements may change in the future as more investigations are made and a deeper study is made of the factors which affect the behavior of the diluent in the extractive cycle.Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 47, No. 2, pp. 75–79, August, 1979.