REFINING OF THORIUM-CONTAINING URANIUM CONCENTRATES BY EXTRACTION WITH TRIBUTYL PHOSPHATE
A method of refining Th-containing U concentrates by extraetion with TBP was developed from laboratory and pilot plant dath and was demonstrated in the National Lead Co. of Ohio Refinery. In the separation of Th and U by TBP, complications arising from the high selectivity of the solvent for both elements were overcome by the use of phosphate for preferentially complexing the Th in the aqueous feed slurry. Specification product (< 50 ppm Th, U basis) can be obtained from feed materials containing so much as 2% Th (U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ basis), if the feed slurry contains 15% phosphate (U basis). Other approaches to Th - U separation were found to be less successful than phosphate complexing and are reported briefly. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- National Lead Co. of Ohio, Cincinnati
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-017907
- OSTI ID:
- 4149229
- Report Number(s):
- NLCO-692
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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