CONCENTRATION OF PLUTONIUM

Patent · Wed May 18 00:00:00 EDT 1960

OSTI ID:4155815

S> A process for concentration of Pu by co-precipitation on Nb/sub 2/O/ sub 5/ and ImF/sub 3/ is described. In the example given, LaF/sub 3/ and Pu are precipitated by HF from a processed HNO/sub 3/ solution of fission products to which Im(NO/sub 3/)/sub 3/ had been added. The precipitate was washed with NaOH and treated with 10 N KOH 2 hours at 75 to 100-C. The hydroxide precipitate was washed and dissolved in concentrated HNO/sub 3/ with Zr(NO/sub 3/)/sub 4/, pH adjusted to Z, and Nb/sub 2/O/sub 5/ added to a concent ration of 0.005 mu Nb ion. The Nb/sub 2/O/sub 5/ carried Pu down with it. This precipitate was washed with dilute H/sub 2/8O/sub 4/ to remove Im, and another HF precipitation carried down the remaining La and 81% of the original Pu. (T.R.H.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-14-015710
• OSTI ID: 4155815
• Report Number(s): GB 835212
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACIDITY
CHEMISTRY
FISSION PRODUCTS
HYDROFLUORIC ACID
LANTHANUM
LANTHANUM FLUORIDES
LANTHANUM NITRATES
NIOBIUM OXIDES
NITRIC ACID
PLUTONIUM
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDES
PRECIPITATION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SODIUM HYDROXIDES
SULFURIC ACID
ZIRCONIUM NITRATES