SEPARATION OF PLUTONIUM
Methods are given for separating plutonium, fission products, and uranium in irradiated uranium by absorption on Nb/sub 2/O/sub 5/. The acid solution of the substance to be separated is passed through a porous bed or column of granular (60 to l00 mesh) hydrated Nb/sub 2/O5/sup ,/n which plu->s tonium and fission products are absorbed together with a small amount of uranium. The absorbed uranium can be removed from the bed by elution with 0-25M H/sub 2/SO/ sub 4/, and then the plutonium and fission products can be eluted with a strong acid solution, e.g., 3N HNO/sub 3/ or a solution 0.5M or more in H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ and 1M in Na/sub 2/SO/sub 4/. Plutonium can be separated from fission products by first oxidizing it to the hexavalent state in solution and then passing the solution through a Nb/sub 2/O/sub 5/ bed, in which case plutonium is less strongly absorbed than fission products. For example, a H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ solution containing fission products and 5 x lO/sup -6/ g plutonium per 100 g solution and treated in the above manner retained 43% of its oxidized plutonium and negligible amounts of its fission products. Granular Nb/sub 2/O/sub 5/ suitable for use as adsorbents may be prepared by precipitation from aqueous solution, drying at 100 deg C, and crushing to the required size. Batch adsorption experiments were performed on various solutions of plutonium and fission products (with and without uranium), and the percentages adsorbed are given, the fission product concentrations being expressed as beta and gamma activities. Desorption experiments were also performed using HNC/sub 3/ and H/ sub 3/SO/sub 4/-Na/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ eluants. (D.L.C.)
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-000288
- OSTI ID:
- 4126319
- Report Number(s):
- GB 851171
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
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