Application of N,N-di(2-ethylhexyl)butanamide for mutual separation of U(VI) and Pu(IV) by continuous counter-current extraction with mixer-settler extractors |
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Authors: | Yasutoshi Ban Shinobu Hotoku Yasuji Morita |
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Affiliation: | 1. Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear Science and Engineering Directorate , Tokai , Ibaraki 319-1195 , Japan ban.yasutoshi@jaea.go.jp;3. Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear Science and Engineering Directorate , Tokai , Ibaraki 319-1195 , Japan |
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Abstract: | Continuous counter-current extraction using N,N-di(2-ethylhexyl)butanamide (DEHBA) as an extractant was performed with mixer-settler type extractors consisting of U–Pu extraction, scrub, U recovery, Pu back-extraction, and U back-extraction steps. The feed solution used in the continuous counter-current extraction was 3 mol/dm3 (M) nitric acid containing U, Pu, and simulated fission products of Sr, Ba, Zr, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, and Nd. More than 99.9% of U and Pu in the feed was extracted by 1.9 M DEHBA at the U–Pu extraction step with negligible extraction of Sr, Ba, Mo, Ru, Rh, and Nd. The extracted Pu was back-extracted via contact with 0.3 M nitric acid in the Pu back-extraction step, and the ratio of Pu distributed to the Pu fraction stream was ~ 82%. It was confirmed that 1.9 M DEHBA effectively recovered U in the U recovery step, and the ratio of U in the Pu fraction stream was less than 1%. The extracted U was back-extracted in the U back-extraction step, and more than 98% of U was recovered in the U fraction stream. |
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Keywords: | N N-dialkylamide monoamide U(VI) Pu(IV) counter-current extraction mixer-settler |
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