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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO PLUTONIUM EXTRACTION

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4124879

A process is given for obtaining concentrated Pu solutions in high purity and > 99.5% yield from dilute Pu solutions. The process comprises the following steps: extracting Pu from and aqueous HNO/sub 3/a solution of irradiated fuel containing Pu in the tetravalent state, using a solution of tertiary amine in an organic solvent; separating the organic phase and scrubbing it with an aqueous NHO/sub 3/ solution; and then extracting the Pu from the scrubbed organic phase with an aqueous acid solution having an acidity >0.1N and a redox potential sufficient to maintain the Pu in the tetravalent state. The solution used for the re-extraction is either H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/- HNO/sub 3/ or HClO/sub 4/, and this solution may be further scrubbed with an organic solution of tertiary amine. Several examples of this process are given using trilaurylamine. (D.L.C.)

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-18-006907
OSTI ID:
4124879
Report Number(s):
GB 945184
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English