AUTOSEP, an automated system for the quantitative ion exchange separation of plutonium from impurities

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1136762· OSTI ID:6269846

Freeman, B P; Weiss, J R; Pietri, C E

The anion exchange separation of interfering impurities from plutonium in the Dowex-1 8 N HNO/sub 3/ system is a reliable purification method. An automated system, AUTOSEP, based on this manual procedure has been developed for greater productivity. Samples, in groups of ten, each containing 5--10 mg of plutonium are processed automatically in this system. AUTOSEP incorporates a means of programming reagent delivery, adjustment of the sample to the plutonium (IV) oxidation state via Fe(II) reduction/HNO/sub 3/ oxidation, plutonium sorption on the resin in 8 N HNO/sub 3/, washing of the resin bed with 8 N HNO/sub 3/ to remove impurities, elution of the purified plutonium with 0.36 N HCl--0.01 N HF, and waste effluent disposal. The reagents are delivered by gravity from a module whose only moving parts are rotary valves. The eluted plutonium solutions are collected for subsequent controlled-potential coulometric analysis. The average recovery of plutonium determined by controlled-potential coulometry using this apparatus was 100.00% with a relative standard deviation of 0.10%.

• Research Organization: New Brunswick Laboratory, U. S. Department of Energy, 9800 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439
• OSTI ID: 6269846
• Journal Information: Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States), Journal Name: Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States) Vol. 52:8; ISSN RSINA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400100* -- Analytical & Separations Chemistry
ACTINIDES
ANIONS
AUTOMATION
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
IMPURITIES
ION EXCHANGE
IONS
METALS
OXIDATION
PLUTONIUM
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
VALVES
VOLTAMETRY