Title: Recovery of uranium from an irradiated solid target after removal of molybdenum-99 produced from the irradiated target

Abstract

A process for minimizing waste and maximizing utilization of uranium involves recovering uranium from an irradiated solid target after separating the medical isotope product, molybdenum-99, produced from the irradiated target. The process includes irradiating a solid target comprising uranium to produce fission products comprising molybdenum-99, and thereafter dissolving the target and conditioning the solution to prepare an aqueous nitric acid solution containing irradiated uranium. The acidic solution is then contacted with a solid sorbent whereby molybdenum-99 remains adsorbed to the sorbent for subsequent recovery. The uranium passes through the sorbent. The concentrations of acid and uranium are then adjusted to concentrations suitable for crystallization of uranyl nitrate hydrates. After inducing the crystallization, the uranyl nitrate hydrates are separated from a supernatant. The process results in the purification of uranyl nitrate hydrates from fission products and other contaminants. The uranium is therefore available for reuse, storage, or disposal.

Inventors:

Reilly, Sean Douglas; May, Iain; Copping, Roy; Dale, Gregory Edward

Issue Date:

2017-10-17

Research Org.:

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1399866

Patent Number(s):

9793023

Application Number:

14/042,115

Assignee:

Los Alamos National Security, LLC

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21G - CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS

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G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS

G21C19/46 - Aqueous processes {, e.g. by using organic extraction means, including the regeneration of these means}

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21G - CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS

G21G1/04 - outside nuclear reactors or particle accelerators
G21G2001/0036 - {Molybdenum}
G21G2001/0094 - {Other isotopes not provided for in the groups listed above}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E30/30 - Nuclear fission reactors

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02W - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT

Y02W30/50 - Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC52-06NA25396

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2013 Sep 30

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE