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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Method of separating thorium from plutonium

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5382918

A method of chemically separating plutonium from thorium is claimed. Plutonium and thorium to be separated are dissolved in an aqueous feed solution, preferably as the nitrate salts. The feed solution is acidified and sodium nitrite is added to the solution to adjust the valence of the plutonium to the +4 state. A chloride salt, preferably sodium chloride, is then added to the solution to induce formation of an anionic plutonium chloride complex. The anionic plutonium chloride complex and the thorium in solution are then separated by ion exchange on a strong base anion exchange column.

DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
Assignee:
EDB-84-036840
Patent Number(s):
None
Application Number:
ON: DE84005933
OSTI ID:
5382918
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English