Partitioning of long-lived alpha-emitters from high level waste solutions

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:476569

Ramanujam, A; Dhami, P S; Gopalakrishnan, V ^[1]

---

1. FRD, Mumbai (India); and others

The partitioning of actinides from HLW solutions of Purex origin has been investigated by batch as well as counter current solvent extraction studies, using 30% TBP in dodecane followed by 0.2 M CMPO + 1.2 M TBP mixture in dodecane as extractants. The results indicate efficient removal of actinides from these wastes. CMPO-Chromosorb-102 (CAC) based extraction chromatographic studies have shown its high selectivity for the sorption of actinides and lanthanides. Large volumes of Purex High Active Waste with low U(VI) content can be passed through small CAC columns without breakthrough of the actinides. In both the approaches, the actinides can be stripped / eluted with 0.04 M nitric acid (Am and rare earths), 0.01 M oxalic acid (plutonium) and 0.25 M Na{sub 2}CO{sub 3} (uranium), with high efficiency. These studies indicate that the alpha burden of the Purex HLW due to the long-lived actinides can be brought down significantly, thus reducing their long term hazard potential.

• OSTI ID: 476569
• Report Number(s): CONF-960804--Vol.3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
40 CHEMISTRY
ACTINIDES
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
EXTRACTION COLUMNS
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
LIQUID WASTES
PUREX PROCESS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
SEPARATION PROCESSES