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

PROCESS OF SECURING PLUTONIUM IN NITRIC ACID SOLUTIONS IN ITS TRIVALENT OXIDATION STATE

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4303077

>Various processes for the recovery of plutonium require that the plutonium be obtalned and maintained in the reduced or trivalent state in solution. Ferrous ions are commonly used as the reducing agent for this purpose, but it is difficult to maintain the plutonium in a reduced state in nitric acid solutions due to the oxidizing effects of the acid. It has been found that the addition of a stabilizing or holding reductant to such solution prevents reoxidation of the plutonium. Sulfamate ions have been found to be ideally suitable as such a stabilizer even in the presence of nitric acid.

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-13-004306
Assignee:
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Patent Number(s):
US 2849277
OSTI ID:
4303077
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English