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U.S. Department of Energy
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Process for the separation of gadolinium isotopes

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5320637

The process for separation of the gadolinium isotopes from a mixture of gadolinium isotopes is described comprising: providing an eluant solution consisting essentially of aqueous methanol, containing 70-85 percent by volume methanol, and having a concentration of ammonium nitrate of a value of 1.0-1.0 N; saturating columns of a strongly basic anion exchange resin with the eluant solution; forming a gadolinium feed solution of the mixture of isotopes; charging the feed solution to the saturated columns; passing additional eluant solution through the columns containing the feed solution so as to form a first fraction of eluant solution richer in at least one of the gadolinium isotopes than a second fraction containing at least one other of the isotopes; separating the first fraction from the second fraction after passage through the columns; recovering the aqueous methanol and ammonium nitrate from the eluant after passage through the columns; and recycling aqueous methanol so recovered for formation of further eluant solution.

Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
Patent Number(s):
US 4711768
OSTI ID:
5320637
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English