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Mercury extraction by the TRUEX process solvent. I. Kinetics, extractable species, and dependence on nitric acid concentration

Journal Article · · Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Westinghouse Idaho Nuclear Co., Inc., ID (United States)
Mercury extraction from acidic aqueous solutions by the TRUEX process solvent (0.2 M CMPO - 1.4 M TBP in n-dodecane) has not extensively been examined. Preliminary experiments were performed involving the extraction of Hg{sup 203}, added as HgCl{sub 2}, from 0.01 to 10 M HNO{sub 3} solutions. Mercury distribution coefficients (D{sub Hg}) range between 3 and 60 from 0.01 M to 2 M HNO{sub 3}. At higher nitric acid concentrations, i.e. 5 M HNO{sub 3} or greater, D{sub Hg} significantly decreases to values less than 1. These results indicate mercury is extracted from acidic solutions {<=} nearly 2 M HNO{sub 3} and stripped with nitric acid solutions {>=} nearly 5 M HNO{sub 3}. Experimental results indicate the extractable species is HgCl{sub 2} from nitrate media, i.e., chloride must be present in the nitrate feed to extract mercury. Extractions from Hg(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} solutions indicated substantially reduced distribution ratios, typically D{sub Hg} < 1, for the range of nitric acid concentrations examined (0.01 to 8 M HNO{sub 3}). Extraction of mercury, as HgCl{sub 2}, by the individual components of the TRUEX solvent was also examined from 2 M HNO{sub 3}. The diluent, n-dodecane, does not measurably extract mercury. With a 1.4 M TBP/n-dodecane solvent, D{sub Hg} nearly 3.4 compared with D{sub Hg} nearly 7 for the TRUEX solvent. 5 refs., 2 figs., 7 tabs.
OSTI ID:
42549
Journal Information:
Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange, Journal Name: Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 13; ISSN SEIEDB; ISSN 0736-6299
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English