APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN ORGANO PHOSPHORUS EXTRACTANTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIOLOGICAL RADIOACTIVITY SURVEYS

Journal Article · Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1963 · Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry (England) Merged with Inorg. Nucl. Chem. Lett. to form Polyhedron

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1902(63)80140-2· OSTI ID:4659609

Peppard, D F; Mason, G W; Andrejasich, C M

The applicability of certain organo-phosphorus extractants to environmental and biological radioactivity surveys was demonstrated. Specifically, a solution of mono-2ethylhexyl phosphoric acid, H/sub 2/MEHP, in a hydrocarbon and/or chlorinated hydrocarbon diluent was shown to extract radioactive Ce (III), Pm(III), Y(III), Am(III), Pu(III), Th(IV), Np(IV), Pu(IV), and U(VI) from acidified human urine with sufficiently high K values to permit basing a scheme of analysis for such radioelements upon liquidliquid extraction. The specific K value is strongly dependent upon the valence of the element, permitting a partial mutual separation of the above set of elements through use of the H/sub 2/MEHP (hydrocarbon and/or chlorinated hydrocarbon) vs. HCl system. These separation possibilities are multiplied by introduction of negative synergist, specifically 2-ethyl hexanol-1, which serves to progressively inactivate H/sub 2/MEHP. Consequently, under certain conditions, M(III) may be scrubbed from an extract leaving M(IV) and M(VI) in the organic phase; but under another set of conditions involving a greater relative concentration of negative synergist, M(VI) may be scrubbed from the extract leaving M(IV) in the organic phase. Further mutual separation is accomplished by means of extraction with di- 2ethylhexyl phosphoric acid, HDEHP. This extractant serves to separate Y from Pm, Ce(III), and Am and to separate Ce(IV) from Pm and Am. Finally, extraction with tri-noctyl phosphine oxide, TOPO, is utilized in the separation of U(VI) from Pu(III). Through use of selected diluents of different densities, the organic phase was made the upper or lower phase in accordance with maximum ease of manipulation. Flow sheets were devised and tested. Advantages of the techniques are discussed, and other areas of application are suggested. (auth)

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., Ill.
• NSA Number: NSA-17-037297
• OSTI ID: 4659609
• Report Number(s): TID-18369; UAC-7209; 0022-1902
• Journal Information: Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry (England) Merged with Inorg. Nucl. Chem. Lett. to form Polyhedron, Journal Name: Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry (England) Merged with Inorg. Nucl. Chem. Lett. to form Polyhedron Vol. Vol: 25; ISSN JINCA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALCOHOLS
ALKYL RADICALS
AMERICIUM COMPOUNDS
CERIUM COMPOUNDS
CHEMISTRY
CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS
DEHPA
DIAGRAMS
HEXANE
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
MAN
NEPTUNIUM COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORIC ACID
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PLUTONIUM COMPOUNDS
PROMETHIUM COMPOUNDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
SYNERGISM
THORIUM COMPOUNDS
TOPO
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URINE
YTTRIUM COMPOUNDS