Removal of plutonium and Americium from hydrochloric acid waste streams using extraction chromatography

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:10114301

Schulte, L D; FitzPatrick, J R; Salazar, R R; Schake, B S; Martinez, B T

Extraction chromatography is under development as a method to lower actinide activity levels in hydrochloric acid (HCl) effluent streams. Successful application of this technique for radioactive liquid waste treatment would provide a low activity feedstream for HCl recycle, reduce the loss of radioactivity to the environment in aqueous effluents, and lower the quantity and improve the form of solid waste generated. The extraction of plutonium and americium from HCl solutions was examined for several commercial and laboratory-produced sorbed resin materials. Polymer beads were coated with n-octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoyl- methylphosphine oxide (CMPO) and either tributyl phosphate (TBP), or diamyl amylphosphonate (DAAP). Distribution coefficients for Pu and Am were measured by contact studies in 1-10 M HCl, while varying REDOX conditions, actinide loading levels, and resin formulations. Flow experiments were run to evaluate actinide loading and elution under varied conditions. Significant differences in the actinide distribution coefficients in contact experiments, and in actinide retention in flow experiments were observed as a function of resin formulation.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 10114301
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--94-4160; CONF-940301--46; ON: DE95005263
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052001
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400202
ACTIVITY LEVELS
AMERICIUM
CMPO
EXTRACTION CHROMATOGRAPHY
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
ISOTOPE EFFECTS, ISOTOPE EXCHANGE, AND ISOTOPE SEPARATION
LIQUID WASTES
PLUTONIUM
POLYMERS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
TBP
WASTE PROCESSING