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Title: Effect of the interference of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions on the extraction of {sup 90}Sr from acidic nuclear waste solutions by 18-crown-6 derivatives

Journal Article · · Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange
; ;  [1]
  1. Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

The extraction of {sup 90}Sr from liquid sodium-bearing wastes (SBW) at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant (ICPP) by 4{prime}, 4{prime}(5{prime})-di-(t-butyldicyclohexo)-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH18C6) and cis-dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6) in l-octanol has been investigated. It has been shown that the presence of group I and group II metal ions which are co-extracted by the organic solvent limits the extraction of Sr{sup 2+} from nitric acid solutions. For example, extraction experiments which were performed with 0.15 M DtBuCH18C6 in 1-octanol yielded D{sub Sr} values which ranged from approximately 20 in 3M nitric acid to approximately5 in a solution of 3M NaNO{sub 3} and 3M nitric acid. Furthermore, it has been shown that when the concentration of the Na{sup +} is >1.5M, an increase in the total concentration of NO{sub 3} ion has little effect on the value of D{sub Sr}. The value of D{sub Sr} has been studied as a function of the concentration of Li{sup +}, K{sup +}, Na{sup +}, Cs{sup +}, and Ca{sup 2+}. Additionally, a comparative study of commercially available 18-crown-6 derivatives has been performed. It has been shown that although DtBuCH18C6 yields larger values of D{sub Sr} in nitric acid solutions than DCH18C6, the extractants yield very similar results in SBW. This is explained by the observation that the presence of group I and group II metal ions interferes with the extraction of Sr{sup 2+} by DtBuCH18C6 to a greater extent than that of DCH18C6. 8 refs., 7 figs., 3 tabs.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
103546
Journal Information:
Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange, Vol. 13, Issue 5; Other Information: PBD: Aug 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English