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Title: Trace elements retained in washed nuclear fuel reprocessing solvents

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5349932· OSTI ID:5349932

Analysis of purified TBP extractant from solvent extraction processes at Savannah River Plant showed several stable elements and several long-lived radioisotopes. Stable elements Al, Na, Br, Ce, Hg, and Sm are found in trace quantities in the solvent. The only stable metallic element consistently found in the solvent was Al, with a concentration which varies from about 30 ppM to about 10 ppM. The halogens Br and Cl appear to be found in the solvent systems as organo halides. Radionuclides found were principally /sup 106/Ru, /sup 129/I, /sup 3/H, /sup 235/U, and /sup 239/Pu. The /sup 129/I concentration was about 1 ppM in the first solvent extraction cycle of each facility. In the other cycles, /sup 129/I concentration varied from about 0.1 to 0.5 ppM. Both /sup 129/I and /sup 3/H appear to be in the organic solvent as a result of exchange with hydrogen.

Research Organization:
Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, SC (United States). Savannah River Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-09-0001
OSTI ID:
5349932
Report Number(s):
DP-1527; TRN: 80-010580
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English