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Title: Next Generation Extractants for Cesium Separation from High-Level Waste: From Fundamental Concepts to Site Implementation

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/834471· OSTI ID:834471

This project seeks a fundamental understanding and major improvement in cesium separation from high-level waste by cesium-selective calixcrown extractants. Systems of particular interest involve novel solvent-extraction systems containing specific members of the calix[4]arene-crown-6 family, alcohol solvating agents, and alkylamines. Questions being addressed bear upon cesium binding strength, extraction selectivity, cesium stripping, and extractant solubility. Enhanced properties in this regard will specifically benefit applied projects funded by the USDOE Office of Environmental Management to clean up sites such as the Savannah River Site (SRS), Hanford, and the Idaho National Environmental and Engineering Laboratory. The most direct beneficiary will be the SRS Salt Processing Project, which has recently identified the Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction (CSSX) process employing a calixcrown as its preferred technology for cesium removal from SRS high-level tank waste.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., Oak Ridge, TN; Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX; Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA; Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) (US)
OSTI ID:
834471
Report Number(s):
EMSP-73803-2002; R&D Project: EMSP 73803; TRN: US200432%%373
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 1 Jun 2002
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English