SEPARATION OF URANIUM FROM THORIUM BY LIQUID METAL EXTRACTION THORIUM RECOVERY AND FISSION PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION
Additional results were obtained on the small-scale separation of uranium from thorium by molten magnesium extraction. This process is aimed at the separation and recovery of uranium and thorium from a thorium breeder blanket. On dissolution of a thorium-uranium alloy in molten magnesium, 90 to 95% of the uranium introduced was recovered as a uranium -thorium -magnesium concentrate. Precipitation and filtration of thorium hydride from the magnesium solution resulted in recovery of 75% of the thorium. The remaining thorium, retained in the filtrate as about Mg-9 wt% Th, would be recycled to the dissolution step. The uranium and thorium fractions were successfully melted into buttons by arc melting. Fission product distribution studies showed that about 5% of the total activity remained in the recovered uranium-rich phase, and about 15% remained in the recovered thorium concentrate. The mixed solvent, silver-magnesium, was briefly studied and shows promise for separating uranium and thorium. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Atomics International. Div. of North American Aviation, Inc., Canoga Park, Calif.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(11-1)-GEN-8
- NSA Number:
- NSA-16-008810
- OSTI ID:
- 4816568
- Report Number(s):
- NAA-SR-6666
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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