Chemical separation of cerium(III) fission nuclides from neutron irradiated uranium using N-oxides as solvents

Summary Radiochemical cerium has been separated from young fission products by extraction of uranium and fission product nuclides using tri-n-octylamine oxide and an anion exchange column for preconcentration followed by extraction of cerium(IV) with 0.25M xylene solution of 4-(5-nonyl) pyridine oxide from 0.1M nitric acid. Cerium is then back extracted by reduction with HCl-H₂O₂ mixture.

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Zusammenfassung Zur Abtrennung radioaktiven Cers werden Uran und Spaltproduktnuklide mittels Tri-n-oktylaminoxid extrahiert. Mit Hilfe einer Anionen-austauschersäule und nachfolgender Einengung des Effluenten wird angereichert, der Rückstand wird in 0,1-m Salpetersäure aufgenommen und das Cer(IV) daraus mit einer 0,25-m Lösung von 4-(5-Nonyl)pyridinoxid in Xylol extrahiert. Aus der organischen Phase wird das Cer mittels salzsaurem Wasserstoffperoxid rückextrahiert.

     

Separation of95Zr and95Nb from each other and from other fission products by adsorption and desorption on silica gel using hydrochloric acid solutions

The silica gel adsorption behaviour of zirconium, niobium, ruthenium and cerium in hydrochloric acid has been investigated by batch and column techniques. A satisfactory radiochemical separation of zirconium and niobium from each other and from other fission products has been achieved by a two column technique. The recommended procedure consists of sorption of all the nuclides on a primary silica gel column. Fifteen per cent of⁹⁵Nb, all of the zirconium and all of the other fission products are eluted first by washing with 5.5 M HCl. A second elution with concentrated hydrochloric acid then recovers the⁹⁵Nb (free from other products). The solution from the first elution after evaporation to 1 ml is then passed through another silica gel column and successively washed with 0.5M HCl, 5.5M HCl and concentrated HCl to obtain three fractions—other fission products—⁹⁵Zr free from other products—⁹⁵Nb free from other products, respectively.     

Zur Abtrennung des Spaltstrontiums aus Kernbrennstoffen an Ammoniummolybdatophosphat

The separation of fission strontium from solutions of prolonged cooled nuclear fuel has been performed using ammoniummolybdatophosphate (AMP) columns. The sorption mechanism of bivalent ions on AMP has been investigated by column and batch experiments. A pure ion exchange of Sr²⁺ for two H⁺ or NH ₄ ⁺ ions has been established. Conditions for the sorption and elution of fission strontium and other fission products on AMP columns are described.     

Separation of trace impurities of131I from99Mo obtained by extraction from fission products of uranium

The radioisotope⁹⁹Mo was separated from a mixture of²³⁵U fission products in the presence of Hg²⁺ by sorption on a chromatographic column filled with Al₂O₃ and elution with 1M NH₄OH. Trace impurities of¹³¹I in the molybdenum fraction were eliminated by selective sorption on silver iodide or by repeated sorption of⁹⁹Mo on Al₂O₃.     

Mutual Separation of Rare Earths in Monazite with Cation Exchange Elution Chromatography

Mutual separation of the individual rare earth elements (exception of cerium) in monazite from different districts was investigated by cation exchange elution method. Strong acid type cation exchange resin, Bio-Rad AG 50 Wx8 and eluting solution of a α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (α-HIBA) were used. Radioactivity tagged Eu-152, 154 or Tb-160 were used as radio active indicator for determination of the distribution coefficients by batch method or for the study of column elution conditions. By gradiently increase of the pH values from 3 to 5 in 0.3 M α-HIBA eluting solution, complete mutual separation of individual rare earth elements, exception of Dy and Y, were obtained. Dy and Y could not be separated by this scheme of separation and their elution zones were overlapped. Rare earth mixture samples of monazite from different districts were separated with this scheme and these results were compared. From this comparison followings were noticed; 1. Compositions of rare earth elements in monazite from different districts are evidently not alike. 2. Samples from Brazil and Southwestern Coast of Taiwan are much more alike in their compositions but not for those from Australia and Outskirt Island. 3. Sample from Outskirt Island has higher in contents of heavier rare earths and also Nd was higher than La.     

A procedure for concentrating americium and curium combined with their separation from plutonium and fission products using a chelating resin

The effect of agitation time and resin quantity on the sorption of americium, curium and europium from mineral acid solutions, using a chelating resin based on aminopolystyrene and Arsenazo I was determined, and the behaviour of plutonium and fission products was investigated under optimum conditions with respect to the sorption of americium and curium. A procedure is proposed for concentrating americium and curium from dilute solutions, combined with their separation from iron, plutonium and fission products. The procedure consists of sorption on the chelating resin from 0.1–1N mineral acid solutions, washing of the resin with 0.5M oxalic acid and 11N sulfuric acid, and elution of americium and curium with 2M triammonium citrate.     

Extraction chromatographic separation of uranium and fission products in the system di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid-hydrochloric acid

An elution scheme has been developed for obtaining separate fission product and uranium fractions using extraction chromatographic techniques with di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid as a stationary phase and HCl of varying concentration as eluting agent. The investigations have been concentrated on the fission products cerium, europium, molybdenum and zirconium. The elution of zirconium by oxalic acid is characterized by a peak broadening and has been explained by considering extraction kinetics. Experiments on column performance with different support materials have proved Ftoroplast-4 and Celite Hyflo Super Cel to be capable of giving column fillings with equal separation ability.     

Trennung von spaltprodukten durch Extraktionschromatographie

The separation of fission products which form anionic species in mineral acids and of uranium and neptunium from samples of neutron-irradiated uranium is described. The method used is extraction chromatography with tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl)-orthophosphoric acid (HDEHP) as extractants and polytrifluoromonochloroethylene powder as the solid support. In the first column Zr, U and Np are extracted with TBP from 8N HNO₃/NaClO₃. In the second column, HDEHP is applied as extractant and 9N HCl/NaClO₃ as the mobile phase for the isolation of Nb, Sb, and I, and in the third column (HDEHP), the rare earths and Mo are extracted from 0.1N HCl. Finally with the fourth column (TBP), Te and Tc are isolated from 6N HCl. These four groups of elements are further separated by elution from the columns. From the final effluent containing Ru, Rh, Cs, Sr, and Ba, Ru is distilled from HClO₄, and Rh is precipitated with NH₄OH. The determination of chemical yields with X-ray fluorescence techniques is described for Zr, Mo, Te, Cs, Ce and U.

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Aus einer Dissertation, Mainz 1967.     

Determination of seven trace elements in natural waters after separation by solvent extraction and anion-exchange chromatography

A method is described for the determination of cadmium, cobalt, copper, manganese, lead, uranium, and zinc in samples of natural waters. After acidification with hydrochloric acid the water sample is filtered and the diethyldithiocarbamates of the trace elements are isolated by extraction with acetone—chloroform (2:5) at pH 5. Following this preconcentration step the metal ions are adsorbed on a column of the strongly basic anion-exchange resin Dowex 1-X8 (chloride form) using as sorption solution a mixture (5:4:1, $\text{v}\text{v}$) of tetrahydrofuran, methyl glycol and 6 M hydrochloric acid. Successive elution is effected with 6 M hydrochloric acid (Co, Cu, Mn and Pb), 1 M hydrochloric acid (U) and 2 M nitric acid (Cd and Zn); the metal ions in the eluates are determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (except uranium, which is determined fluorimetrically). The procedure was used to determine the trace-metals in water and snow samples collected in Austria and to analyse a sample of sea water from the Adriatic Sea.     

Determination of oxygen to uranium ratio in irradiated uranium dioxide by controlled potential coulometry

This work reports the determination of oxygen to uranium (O/U) ratio in irradiated UO_2+x fuel pellet of burnup of ca. 34 GWd/t by controlled potential coulometry. The method is based on the dissolution of the nuclear fuel in strong phosphoric acid (SPA) at 180–190 °C under an inert atmosphere. After dissolution, 8% sulphuric acid is added in order to obtain a 20% SPA in 8% sulphuric acid. A controlled potential coulometric determination of uranium(VI) is carried out at ?0.60V vs. ferri-ferrocyanide. The uranium(IV) contained in an aliquot of the fuel solution is oxidised to uranium(VI) with cerium(IV) sulphate, and the total uranium content is then determined by coulometry. Optimum experimental conditions have been established using simulated irradiated fuel solution containing various fission products which include cerium, tellurium, palladium, ruthenium, molybdenum and zirconium. Interference of the fission products and the possible removal of their interferences by preelectrolysis at +0.5 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE) have been investigated. The accuracy of the coulometric method is confimed by polarographic measurement using several unirradiated UO_2+x fuel of known stoichiometry.     

Cation exchange selectivity of some fission products on strongly acidic cation exchanger of sulfonic acid type-nitric acid system

Distribution coefficients of fission products in nitric acid for strongly acidic cation exchanger of sulfonic acid type with different cross-linking and structure were measured by a column method. Uptake of cationic fission products increases with resin cross-linking and decreases of nitric acid concentration. The distribution coefficient of the ion, [Kd_Mn+]^*, in a given system is expressed as log [Kd_Mn+]^*=B·log[Kd_Mn+]+A where [Kd_Mn+] is the distribution coefficient of the ion at 1M nitric acid for 10% crosslinked gel type cation exchanger, while A and B constants. Deviation from the above relation were observed for Y³⁺ and complex ions of ruthenium upward for macroporous type cation exchanger and downward for highly porous type cation exchanger. Upward deviation of Y³⁺ for 10% cross-linked gel type cation exchanger increased with concentration of nitric acid. Consequently, elution sequence varied from Y³⁺–Eu³⁺–Pm³⁺–Ce³⁺⁺ at 1M nitric acid to Eu³⁺–Pm³⁺–Y³⁺–Ce³⁺ for the same cation exchanger at 2M nitric acid. The same elution sequence, Eu³⁺–Pm³⁺–Y³⁺–Ce³⁺, was observed for 8% cross-linked gel type cation exchanger and 10% cross-linking macroporous type cation exchanger at 1M nitric acid.     

Determination of molecular weight distribution of cellulose by conversion into tricarbanilate and fractionation

Two samples of cellulose (molecular weight 2.97 × 10⁵ and 1.25 × 10⁵) were transformed into carbanilates (CTC) which were then fractionated by the elution method at a constant composition of the acetone-water elution mixture with the column temperature gradually increasing from ?30°C to 30°C, and by the GPC method in acetone and tetrahydrofuran. Tetrahydrofuran appeared to be a more suitable solvent. The molecular weights of fractions obtained by the elution fractionation were determined by the light-scattering method in tetrahydrofuran. The width of fractions was determined by the GPC method (average M _w/M _n = 1.37); the [η] values and the Mark-Houwink constants (K = 5.3 × 10^-3, a = 0.84) for tetrahydrofuran at 25°C were determined. The calibration curve for the GP method was constructed by means of the fractions thus obtained; it was demonstrated that the universal calibration curve according to Benoit can also be used. It was demonstrated that the molecular weight distribution of cellulose can be conveniently determined by conversion into CTC followed either by the elution fractionation (for preparative purposes) or by fractionation by the GPC method (for analytical purposes).     

Die Trennung des Cers von anderen Spaltprodukten durch Extraktion

Zusammenfassung Dreiwertiges Cer läßt sich von den meisten anderen Spaltprodukten gut abtrennen, wenn als Extraktionsmittel die Mischung Thenoyltrifluoroaceton-Trioctylphosphinoxid wegen ihrer synergistisch erhöhten Extraktionseigenschaften verwendet wird. Uran, Zirkonium und andere Elemente werden zwar mitextrahiert, bleiben jedoch in der organischen Phase, während Cer wieder mit 1-n Säuren rückextrahiert werden kann. Trennung von anderen Seltenen Erden kann nicht erreicht werden, während Cäsium und Strontium nicht extrahiert werden.Die optimalen Extraktionsbedingungen wurden ermittelt, aber auch der Einfluß verschiedener Lösungsmittel bzw. Anionen untersucht; so kann Chloracetatpuffer vorteilhaft zur Einstellung des p_H-Wertes verwendet werden.Größere Mengen Eisen und Kobalt stören bei der Bestimmung des Cers und werden daher am besten in Form der Rhodanide mit Methylisobutylketon extraktiv abgetrennt.

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The separation of cerium from other fission products by extraction

Summary Trivalent cerium can be separated from other fission products, utilizing the high synergistic enhancement of its extraction by the mixture of thenoyltrifluoroacetone-trioctyl phosphine oxide. Uranium, zirconium and other elements are extracted too, remain however in the organic phase, when cerium is back extracted into lN acid solutions. Separation from other rare earth elements can not be achieved, while cesium and strontium are not extracted.The optimal extraction conditions were investigated thoroughly, and also the effect of various solvents and anions, respectively; chloroacetate buffer can be used advantageously for adjusting the p_H of the solution.High amounts of iron and cobalt interfere with the determination of cerium and must be separated by extraction of their thiocyanate complexes with methyl isobutyl ketone.

     

Extraction chromatographic separation of thorium (IV) with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO)

Thorium was extracted from a mixture of nitric acid and NaNO₃ of 0.01M each at pH 2.2 on a column of silica gel coated with TOPO. Thorium was separated from alkalis, alkaline earths, chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, zinc, cadmium, mercury, lead, trivalent rare earths, platinum group metals, chloride, phosphate and acetate in binary mixtures by selective extraction of thorium. Thorium was separated from cerium (IV), zirconium, uranium and molybdenum by selective elution of thorium with 0.01M H₂SO₄. The method was extended for the analysis of thorium in monozite ore.     

Beiträge zur Analyse nuklearer Rohmaterialien. X

Zusammenfassung Eine Methode wurde beschrieben, die es ermöglicht, Mangan von großen Mengen Uran zu trennen und der Endbestimmung mittels Spektrophotometrie zugänglich zu machen. Die Abtrennung des Mangans aus der Uranmatrix erfolgt durch Adsorption auf einer Säule des stark sauren Kationenaustauschers Dowex 50, X8 aus einer Mischung von 80 Vol.% Hexon, 10 Vol.% Aceton und 10 Vol.% 12-m Salpetersäure. Nach Elution des adsorbierten Mangans mittels 2-m Salpetersäure wird dieses unter Anwendung der Formaldoximmethode spektrophotometrisch bestimmt. Das Verfahren wurde zur Bestimmung des Mangans in U₃O₈-Standardproben (0,9 bis 8,1 ppm Mn) herangezogen und dabei eine sehr gute Übereinstimmung der Resultate erzielt.

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Contributions to the analysis of nuclear raw materials. X

Summary A method has been described that makes possible to separate manganese from large amounts of uranium and to render possible the end-determination by means of spectrophotometry. The separation of the manganese and of the uranium material is conducted by adsorption on a column of the strongly acidic cation exchanger Dowex 50, X 8 from a mixture of 80 vol.% hexone, 10 vol.% acetone and 10 vol.% of 12M nitric acid. Following elution of the adsorbed manganese by means of 2M nitric acid the manganese is determined spectrophotometrically by employing the formaldoxime method. The method was employed for the determination of manganese in standard specimens of U₃O₈ (0.9 to 8.1 ppm manganese) and a very good agreement of the results was achieved.

     

Determination of phenolic compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography with Ce-Tween 20 chemiluminescence detection

A novel method for the simultaneous determination of phenolic compounds such as salicylic acid, resorcinol, phloroglucinol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and m-nitrophenol by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with chemiluminescence (CL) detection was developed. The procedure was based on the chemiluminescent enhancement by phenolic compounds of the cerium(IV)-Tween 20 system in a sulfuric acid medium. The separation was carried out with an isocratic elution or with a gradient elution using a mixture of methanol and 1.5% acetic acid. For six phenolic compounds, the detection limits (3σ) were in the range 1.40-5.02 ng/ml and the relative standard deviations (n=11) for the determination of 0.1 μg/ml compounds were in the range 1.9-2.9%. The CL reaction was well compatible with the mobile phase of HPLC, no baseline drift often occurred in HPLC-CL detection was observed with a gradient elution. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of salicylic acid and resorcinol in Dermatitis Clear Tincture and p-hydroxybenzoic acid in apple juices.     

Determination of traces of lanthanides in cerium oxide by liquid chromatography with on-column preconcentration

Summary Traces of lanthanides can be effectively separated from other lanthanides in major concentrations and other elements by liquid chromatography on a column of Separon SGX C18 silica gel modified by sorption of ammonium dodecylsulphate or ammonium octanesulphonate and determined spectrophotometrically with Arsenazo III. Isocratic or stepwise acidity gradient elution with 90 mmol/l of ammonium 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate (HIBA) or 60 mmol/l of ammonium citrate was used. Interferences by the elements up to 10³–10⁴ concentration ratio can be eliminated. Lanthanides at mg/g level can be determined in cerium oxide with a relative standard deviation s_r<2.5% (n=5).     

Use of alcoholic solutions for the isolation and purification of americium and curium with anion-exchangers

The sorption of transplutonium (TPE), rare-earth (RE) and other elements by anion-exchangers (Dowex 1 type) from aqueous alcoholic solutions of nitric acid and ammonium thiocyanate was investigated. This investigation allowed the development of simple and effective methods of americium—curium separation from frradiated plutonium. Plutonium, TPE (in a +3 oxidation state) and RE are firmly sorbed by the anion-exchanger from 1 M HNO₃ in 90% alcohol, Fe, Al and fission products Cs, Sr, Nb, Zr, and Ru pass through the column under these conditions. The RE separation from TPE is achieved by washing the column with 0.5M NH₄SCN in 80% alcohol. The column is then washed with 0.5 M HNO₃ in 85% alcohol, and americium—curium separation proceeds. Use of this method for recovery of an irradiated plutonium target containing 100 mg Pu, Am and Cm is described.     

Reversed-phase partition chromatographic separation of minor actinides with bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfoxide from acidic nitrate PUREX waste solutions

The uptake behavior of U(VI), Pu(IV), Am(III) and a few long-lived fission products from nitric acid media by bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfoxide (BESO) adsorbed on Chromosorb has been studied U(VI), Pu(IV) and Zr(IV) are taken up appreciably as compared to trivalent actinides/lanthanides including some coexisting fission product contaminants which are weakly sorbed on the column. Chromosorb could be loaded with (1.12±0.03) g of BESO per g of the support. Maximum sorption is observed around 4–5 mol·dm^–3 HNO₃ for both U(VI) and Pu(IV), which are sorbed as their disolvates. The elution of (U(VI) and Pu(IV) from the metal loaded sorbent has also been optimized. Desorption of U(VI) is easily accomplished with dilute nitric acid (ca. 0.01 mol·dm^–3)while Pu(IV) is reductively stripped with 0.1 mol·dm^–3 NH₂OH·HCl. Effective sequential separation of U(VI), Pu(IV) and Am(III) from their several admixtures could be readily achieved from real medium and low level active acidic process raffinates.     

Determination of five trace elements in sea water after separation by anion-exchange chromatography

Summary A preconcentration technique involving anion-exchange in a thiocyanate medium has been developed for the determination of traces of vanadium, cobalt, copper, zinc, and cadmium in sea water. A conventional, small column containing a strongly basic anionexchange resin Amberlite CG 400 in the thiocyanate form allows the five trace metals to be concentrated from a 11 of sea water sample adjusted to 0.1M in thiocyanate and 0.1M in hydrochloric acid. Sorbed metals can be recovered simultaneously by elution with 140 ml of 2M perchloric acid. A stepwise elution technique is also developed, which permits removal of vanadium-copper-cobalt as a group, zinc, and cadmium to improve the selectivity of the separation. A simple scheme of separation for vanadium, copper, and cobalt is given, so that spectrophotometric determinations of these metals even with nonselective reagents may be feasible. Results are quoted on the preconcentration and subsequent spectrophotometric determination of the five metals in brine and sea waters.