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U.S. Department of Energy
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PEROXYACETATE SEPARATION OF CERIUM(IV) FROM TRIVALENT RARE EARTHS IN PUREX PROCESS SOLUTIONS

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4796447
Separation of cerium from the other rare earths by oxidation to tetravalent state and precipitation is described. It was found that cerium can be quantitatively precipitated as a cerium(IV) peroxyacetate from a nitrate solution with only 5 to 15% of the trivalent rare earths carrying on the precipitate. The process is accomplished by the addition of a buffered hydrogen peroxide-- sodium acetate solution to a rare earth nitrate feed solution. It was established that when in contact with actual Parex solutions, cerium peroxyacetate precipitates decompose much more rapidly than they do in simulated solutions. It was found that the stability of the precipitate could be extended by periodic addition of more hydrogen peroxide or by the use of a larger initial amount. (M.C.G.)
Research Organization:
General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
DOE Contract Number:
AT(45-1)-1350
NSA Number:
NSA-17-000216
OSTI ID:
4796447
Report Number(s):
HW-SA-2633
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English