Separation of carrier-free {sup 90}Y from high level waste by extraction chromatographic technique using 2-ethylhexyl-2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid (KSM-17)

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2000 · Separation Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1081/SS-100100155· OSTI ID:20017425

Achuthan, P V; Dhami, P S; Kannan, R; Gopalakrishnan, V; Ramanujam, A

An extraction chromatographic technique has been developed for the separation of carrier-free {sup 90}Y from the {sup 90}Sr present in the high level waste (HLW) of the Purex process. When a Purex HLW solution in 2--3 M HNO{sub 3} is passed through a CMPO-Chromosorb-102 (CAC) column, all the trivalent, tetravalent, and hexavalent ions are sorbed. The effluent from this experiment, after adjusting the pH to 2 with NaOH, was passed through a 2-ethylhexyl-2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid (KSM-17)-Chromosorb-102 (KSMC) extraction chromatographic column where only {sup 90}Y was sorbed. All the other ions ({sup 90}Sr, {sup 137}Cs, {sup 125}Sb, {sup 106}Ru, {sup 106}Rh, etc.) were washed off with dilute HNO{sub 3} (pH 2), and carrier-free {sup 90}Y was eluted with 0.5 M HNO{sub 3}. This technique can yield {sup 90}Y in mCi levels in pure form for medical applications. The {sup 90}Sr can be used repeatedly after allowing for {sup 90}Y buildup.

• Research Organization: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay (IN)
• OSTI ID: 20017425
• Journal Information: Separation Science and Technology, Vol. 35, Issue 2; Other Information: PBD: Jan 2000; ISSN 0149-6395
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
YTTRIUM 90
EXTRACTION CHROMATOGRAPHY
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
STRONTIUM 90
MATERIALS RECOVERY
RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS