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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

SEPARATION OF PROTACTINIUM FROM CONTAMINANTS

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4236060

The separation of protactinium by volatilization method is described. According to the invention, neutron irradiated finely divided thorium is reacted with aluminum trichloride or a mixture of aluminum trichloride and chlorine gas at a temperature of preferably between about 200 and 400 deg C. Following the chlorinating step the protactinium chloride along with aluminum chloride is selectively distilled from the mixture at a temperature of approximately 100 deg C. The protactinium chloride may be recovered from the mixture by treatment with sodium hydroxide, which converts the aluminum chloride to a soluble salt and forms insoluble protactinium hydroxide.

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-14-002482
Assignee:
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Patent Number(s):
US 2893825
OSTI ID:
4236060
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English