SEPARATION OF URANIUM FROM THORIUM

Patent · Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1959

OSTI ID:4220108

Hellman, N N

A process is presented for separating uranium from thorium wherein the ratio of thorium to uranium is between 100 to 10,000. According to the invention the thoriumuranium mixture is dissolved in nitric acid, and the solution is prepared so as to obtain the desired concentration within a critical range of from 4 to 8 N with regard to the total nitrate due to thorium nitrate, with or without nitric acid or any nitrate salting out agent. The solution is then contacted with an ether, such as diethyl ether, whereby uranium is extracted into ihe organic phase while thorium remains in the aqueous phase.

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-14-002480
• Assignee: U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
• Patent Number(s): US 2893823
• OSTI ID: 4220108
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CHEMISTRY
ETHERS
NITRATES
NITRIC ACID
SALTING-OUT AGENTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLUTIONS
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
THORIUM
THORIUM NITRATES
URANIUM
WATER