Solvent cleanup using base-treated silica gel solid adsorbent

Technical Report · Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7036489· OSTI ID:7036489

Tallent, O. K.; Mailen, J. C.; Pannell, K. D.

A solvent cleanup method using silica gel columns treated with either sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or lithium hydroxide (LiOH) has been investigated. Its effectiveness compares favorably with that of traditional wash methods. After treatment with NaOH solution, the gels adsorb HNO/sub 3/, dibutyl phosphate (DBP), UO/sub 2//sup 2 +/, Pu/sup 4 +/, various metal-ion fission products, and other species from the solvent. Adsorption mechanisms include neutralization, hydrolysis, polymerization, and precipitation, depending on the species adsorbed. Sodium dibutyl phosphate, which partially distributes to the solvent from the gels, can be stripped with water; the stripping coefficient ranges from 280 to 540. Adsorption rates are diffusion controlled such that temperature effects are relatively small. Recycle of the gels is achieved either by an aqueous elution and recycle sequence or by a thermal treatment method, which may be preferable. Potential advantages of this solvent cleanup method are that (1) some operational problems are avoided and (2) the amount of NaNO/sub 3/ waste generated per metric ton of nuclear fuel reprocessed would be reduced significantly. 19 references, 6 figures, 12 tables.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 7036489
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-8948; ON: DE84014096
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
ORGANIC SOLVENTS
CLEANING
SILICA GEL
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
ADSORBENTS
ALKANES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HYDROLYSIS
LITHIUM HYDROXIDES
PH VALUE
POLYMERIZATION
PRECIPITATION
RECYCLING
TBP
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
BUTYL PHOSPHATES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
ESTERS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
INFORMATION
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LYSIS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORIC ACID ESTERS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLVENTS
SOLVOLYSIS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
050800* - Nuclear Fuels- Spent Fuels Reprocessing