DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION OF AN ION-EXCHANGE PROCESS FOR KILOGRAM-SCALE PRODUCTION OF HIGH PURITY PROMETHIUM
An ion-exchange process for promethium purification was developed and successfully demonstrated in the HanA crude rare earth fission product mixture containing 20,000 curies of Pm/sup 147/ (from which the cerium had been removed by a previous precipitation process) was processed through a multicolumn ion- exchange unit. Dowex 50W, X-8 (50-100 mesh) resin was used and the rare earths were eluted with an NH/sub 4/OH buffered EDTA solution at elevated temperature. The distinguishing features of this process are the selection of a restraining ion and the elevated temperature operation, which permit purification of the promethium in a minimum amount of time, thus reducing resin radiolysis to an acceptable level. The promethium was recovered, radiochemically pure, in three fractions. The heart'' fraction, 13,000 curies, was 99% pure; the only contaminants being traces of neodymium and samarium. The second fraction, 3100 curies, contained 88% promethium, 1% samarium and 11% neodymium. The third fraction, 4600 curies, was 55%, promethium, 24% samarium and 21% neodymium. The equipment and the operating conditions are described. The operating features of a full scale plant based upon the process are briefly noted. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(45-1)-1350
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-003877
- OSTI ID:
- 4133396
- Report Number(s):
- HW-78651(Rev.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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