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PERFORMANCE AND DEGRADATION OF DILUENTS FOR TBP AND THE CLEANUP OF DEGRADED SOLVENTS

Journal Article · · Nuclear Science and Engineering (U.S.)
OSTI ID:4143874

Research work at AERE is reviewved under the following headings: chemistry of diluent degradation; methods for the cleanup and disposal of degraded TBP-hydrocarbon solvents; and treatments to improve kerosene as a diluent and comparisons of alternative diluents. The performance of diluents was rationalized on the basis of their composition (determined by vapor-phase chromatography), reaction with nitrous acid, and the subsequent reactions of nitroparaffins with acids and alkalies. There is evidence that the species responsible for the retention of zirconium in degraded solvents are hydroxamic acids (Alkyl-CONHOH) and their formation from nitroparaffins is outlined. Nitroparaffins readily form salts wvith alkanolamines and J complete removal of complexing agents from degraded solvent was possible on this basis by extraction with certain alkanolamines which are insoluble in TBP-kerosene. Alkaline hydrogen peroxide shows promise for the removal of firmly bound uranium in solvents. Chemical methods are outlined for the separation of TBP from its diluents as a preliminary step towards disposal or recovery of badly degraded solvent. Pretreatment processes for improving kerosene, and a new class of stable diluents, the conjunct polymers of simple olefins, are described. (auth)

Research Organization:
Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, Eng.
NSA Number:
NSA-18-006898
OSTI ID:
4143874
Journal Information:
Nuclear Science and Engineering (U.S.), Journal Name: Nuclear Science and Engineering (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 17; ISSN NSENA
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English