Ferric ion as a scavenging agent in a solvent extraction process

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:862672

Bruns, Lester E ^[1]; Martin, Earl C ^[2]

---

1. Kennewick, WA
2. Richland, WA

Ferric ions are added into the aqueous feed of a plutonium scrap recovery process that employs a tributyl phosphate extractant. Radiolytic degradation products of tributyl phosphate such as dibutyl phosphate form a solid precipitate with iron and are removed from the extraction stages via the waste stream. Consequently, the solvent extraction characteristics are improved, particularly in respect to minimizing the formation of nonstrippable plutonium complexes in the stripping stages. The method is expected to be also applicable to the partitioning of plutonium and uranium in a scrap recovery process.

• Research Organization: Atlantic Richfield Hanford Co., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AT(45-1)-2130
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 3987145
• OSTI ID: 862672
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ferric
scavenging
agent
solvent
extraction
process
added
aqueous
feed
plutonium
scrap
recovery
employs
tributyl
phosphate
extractant
radiolytic
degradation
products
dibutyl
form
solid
precipitate
iron
removed
stages
via
waste
stream
consequently
characteristics
improved
particularly
respect
minimizing
formation
nonstrippable
complexes
stripping
method
expected
applicable
partitioning
uranium
extraction process
tributyl phosphate
solvent extraction
waste stream
recovery process
degradation products
aqueous feed
dibutyl phosphate
solvent extract
plutonium scrap
phosphate extractant
/423/999/976/