RECOVERY OF URANIUM AND PLUTONIUM FROM SULFURIC ACID DECLADDING SOLUTIONS

Technical Report · Wed Nov 25 04:00:00 EST 1959

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4207898· OSTI ID:4207898

Horner, D. E.; Coleman, C. F.

Uranium and plutonium were recovered by liquid-liquid extraction from simulated sulfuric acid stainless steel decladding solution with several extractants. Consecutive extraction of U(IV) and Pu(III) or (IV) by 0.1 to 0 3 M primary amine in hydrocarbon-- alcohol diluent appeared promising, and chemical flowsheets were demonstrated in laboratoryscale continuous countercurrent extraction. Extraction of U(VI) with a dialkylphosphoric acid appeared promising when plutonium recovery is not needed. Recovery is also chemically feasible by extraction of U(VI) and Pu(IV) with an N-benzyl secondary alkyl amine or a trialkylphosphine oxide. The amine extracts are stripped with nitric acid, giving a sulfate-nitrate product solution. The organophosphorus extractants permit elimination of the sulfate but require sodium carbonate for stripping. (auth)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• NSA Number: NSA-14-002466
• OSTI ID: 4207898
• Report Number(s): ORNL-2830
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALCOHOLS
ALKYL RADICALS
AMINES
BENZYL RADICALS
CHEMISTRY
COUNTER CURRENT
HYDROCARBONS
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
NITRATES
NITRIC ACID
OXIDES
PHOSPHINES
PHOSPHORIC ACID
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PLUTONIUM
RECOVERY
SODIUM CARBONATES
SOLUTIONS
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
STAINLESS STEELS
SULFATES
SULFURIC ACID
TESTING
URANIUM