Evaluation of extraction chromatography for americium recovery

Technical Report · Wed Mar 23 04:00:00 EST 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5235433· OSTI ID:5235433

Alford, C. E.; Navratil, J. D.

Extraction, or reverse-phase partition chromatography, as used mostly for analytical separations, employs an organic solvent extractant as a stationary phase on an inert support material. This technique, which has the advantage of utilizing the versatility of solvent extraction systems with the less expensive operation of ion exchange equipment, was evaluated for a process to recover low level concentrations of americium from acidic process waste streams at Rocky Flats. The bidentate organophosphorous extractant DHDECMP (dihexyl-N, N-diethylcarbamylmethylene phosphonate) was used as the stationary phase since it was shown to effectively scavenge americium from acidic waste streams without significantly extracting impurity ions. Over 30 support materials were evaluated for DHDECMP capacity and for their ability to retain the extractant. Of the supports tested, the Amberlite XAD macroreticular sorbents were found to have the highest DHDECMP capacity. Amberlite XAD-4 beads retained the extractant significantly better than the other supports evaluated. Thus, this solvent was tested for americium breakthrough capacity and compared to the theoretical capacity.

• Research Organization: Atomics International Div., Golden, Colo. (USA). Rocky Flats Plant
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-3533
• OSTI ID: 5235433
• Report Number(s): RFP-2625
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ACTINIDES
ADSORBENTS
AMERICIUM
CHROMATOGRAPHY
ELEMENTS
ESTERS
EXTRACTION CHROMATOGRAPHY
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORIC ACID ESTERS
PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
ROCKY FLATS PLANT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SUPPORTS
TRANSPLUTONIUM ELEMENTS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
US AEC
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES