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SEPARATION OF BARIUM VALUES FROM URANYL NITRATE SOLUTIONS

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4240853

The separation of radioactive barium values from a uranyl nitrate solution of neutron-irradiated uranium is described. The 10 to 20% uranyl nitrate solution is passed through a flrst column of a cation exchange resin under conditions favoring the adsorption of barium and certain other cations. The loaded resin is first washed with dilute sulfuric acid to remove a portion of the other cations, and then wash with a citric acid solution at pH of 5 to 7 to recover the barium along with a lesser amount of the other cations. The PH of the resulting eluate is adjusted to about 2.3 to 3.5 and diluted prior to passing through a smaller second column of exchange resin. The loaded resin is first washed with a citric acid solution at a pH of 3 to elute undesired cations and then with citric acid solution at a pH of 6 to eluts the barium, which is substantially free of undesired cations.

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-13-015172
Assignee:
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Patent Number(s):
US 2875024
OSTI ID:
4240853
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English