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U.S. Department of Energy
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THE EXTRACTION OF URANIUM FROM PHOSPHATE SOLUTIONS

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4281053

A process for the extraction and depoisoning of uranium in strong phosphoric acid solution with tributyl phosphate (TBP) is described. The formation of a complex between uranyl and phosphate ions necessitates the use of a salting agent which is capable of destroying this complex and releasing the uranyl ion into an organic extractable species. Of various salting agents tried, ferric nitrate was the most successful. It not only provides nitrate ion for the formation of uranyl nitrate, but also forms a very stable ferric-phosphate complex, thus completely tying up the phosphate ion when added in equimolar quantities. Stripping; of the enriched solvent is accomplished with phosphoric acid. (auth)

Research Organization:
Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
NSA Number:
NSA-13-002054
OSTI ID:
4281053
Report Number(s):
AECD-3746
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English