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U.S. Department of Energy
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SEPARATION OF THORIUM FROM URANIUM BY EXTRACTION

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4235978
A method is presented for the recovery and separation of uranium and thorium values contained in an aqueous nitric acid solution which is more than 3 M in nitric acid. The uranium and thorium containing solution preferable about 7 M in nitric acid is contacted with tributyl phosphatekerosene mixture. Both U and Th are extracted by the immiscible organic. After phase separation the Th is selectively back extracted by contacting with an aqueous nitric acid solution preferably between 0.1 to 1.5 M in nitric acid. The uranium which is still in the organic extractant phase may be recovered by contacting with water.
Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-14-002500
Assignee:
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Patent Number(s):
US 2897046
OSTI ID:
4235978
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English