Kinetic studies on the extraction of U(IV) by TBP in kerosene from nitrate medium

The kinetics of extraction of U(IV) by TBP in kerosene was investigated using a stirred Lewis cell. The effect of the different parameters affecting the extraction rate as well as temperature were separately investigated. The rate equation deduced from the experimental results show that the extraction of U(IV) is first order dependent on TBP concentration while it is of zero order with respect to U(IV), H⁺, NO ₃ ^– and HNO₃ concentrations. The data obtained show that the extraction process is governed by chemical reactions taking place at teh interface.     

Mechanism of U(VI) extraction by CYANEX 301 in kerosene from nitrate medium

The rate of extraction of U(VI) by CYANEX 301 in kerosene from nitrate medium of constant ionic strength (0.1M) was investigated using a stirred Lewis cell. The different parameters affecting the extraction rate of U(VI) as well as the temperature were studied. The effects of interfacial area and tension on the extraction rate showed that the extraction process is controlled by a chemical reaction taking place at the interface. The kinetic results indicated that the extraction of U(VI) is of first order, dependent on CYANEX 301 and nitrate concentrations while it is of inverse first order for uranium concentration. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Counter-current extraction process for recovery of U(IV) from phosphoric acid using octylphenyl acid phosphate (OPAP) extractant

The extraction of U(IV) from phosphoric acid by octylphenyl acid phosphate (OPAP) in kerosene was investigated. Parameters affecting the extraction of U(IV) from phosphoric acid were investigated. The effects of H₃PO₄, H₂SO₄, H₂O₂, Na₂CO₃ and (NH₄)₂CO₃ concentrations, phase ratio and temperature on the stripping of uranium from the organic phase were studied. Based on the bench-scale results, a continuous counter-current extraction flow sheet was developed and tested using a 16-stage horizontal type mixer settler. The continuous extraction scrubbing stripping showed that the extraction efficiency of the developed process is 99%, whereas the stripping efficiency is 97%.     

Solvent extraction of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) by N,N′-di-p-tolylpyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide from nitric acid solution

Synthesis and characterization of N,N′-di-p-tolylpyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (DTPDA) was carried out and used for extraction of U(VI) and Th(IV) from nitric acid solutions. The processes of extraction were determined by the slope analysis and by analyzing a function that allows the simultaneous treatment of all the experimental points obtained in different conditions. The different factors affecting the extraction distribution ratio(D) of U(VI) and Th(IV) (extraction concentration, concentrations of nitric acid, salting-out agent NaNO₃ concentration, equilibration time and temperature) were investigated. The results obtained indicated that the extraction species of U(VI) and Th(IV) are mainly extracted as UO₂(NO₃)₂·1.5DTPDA and Th(NO₃)₄·1.5DTPDA. The related thermodynamic functions were calculated. Back-extraction of U(VI) and Th(IV) from organic phases was also studied.     

Extraction and thermodynamic behavior of U(VI) and Th(IV) from nitric acid solution with tri-isoamyl phosphate

The extraction behavior of U(VI) and Th(IV) with tri-isoamyl phosphate–kerosene (TiAP–KO) from nitric acid medium was investigated in detail using the batch extraction method as a function of aqueous-phase acidity, TiAP concentration and temperature, then the thermodynamic parameters associated with the extraction were derived by the second-law method. It could be noted that the distribution ratios of U(VI) or Th(IV) increased with increasing HNO₃ concentration until 6 or 5 M from 0.1 M. However, a good separation factor (D _U(VI)/D _Th(IV)) of 88.25 was achieved at 6 M HNO₃, and the stripping of U(VI) from TiAP–KO with deionized water or diluted nitric acid was easier than that of Th(IV). The probable extracted species were deduced by log D-log c plot at different temperatures as UO₂(NO₃)₂·(TiAP)_(1–2) and Th(NO₃)₄·(TiAP)_(2–3), respectively. Additionally, △H, △G and △S for the extraction of U(VI) and Th(IV) revealed that the extraction of U(VI) by TiAP was an exothermic process and was counteracted by entropy change, while the extraction of Th(IV) was an endothermic process and was driven by entropy change.     

Synergistic effect of tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butyl phosphate (TBP) or tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) with didodecylphosphoric acid (HDDPA) on extraction of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) ions

Importance of removal of radioactive elements from wastewater was the motivation behind this work. Synergistic solvent extraction of U(VI) and Th(IV) ions from perchlorate solution using didodecylphosphoric acid (HDDPA) incorporated with tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) or tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as a synergists have been studied for the first time. The effects of HDDPA concentration, synergist’s concentration, pH values and temperature on the extraction process have been studied. The thermodynamic parameters of the extraction process for these ions were calculated. It was found that the synergistic contribution of TOPO is higher than TBP in the extraction of Th(IV) and U(VI).     

Extraction and separation of thorium(IV) and praseodymium (III) with CYANEX 301 and CYANEX 302 from nitrate medium

Solvent extraction of Pr(III) and Th(IV) has been investigated with commercial extractants of CYANEX 301 (bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) dithiophosphinic acid) and CYANEX 302 (bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) monothiophosphinic acid) in kerosene from nitrate medium. The effects of various parameters affecting the extraction equilibrium of Th(IV) and Pr(III), including temperature, were studied and the stoichiometry of the extracted Th(IV) and Pr(III) species was elucidated. The separation of Th(IV) from Pr(III) depending on the difference in the extraction behavior of the two extractants towards these metals is given and discussed.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Extraction of uranium(IV) and uranium(VI) by primary and tertiary-amines from sulphate solutions

In developing a method for possible low level isotopic enrichment, which uses to advantage the equilibrium isotope effect observed during U(1V)-U(VI) electron exchange reaction in sulphate solutions, details of a solvent extraction process involving high concentration of a mixture of U(IV) and U(VI) and at low acid concentrations, are described. The extraction behaviour of uranium under these conditions is discussed. During the extraction with amines, U(IV) tended to get oxidised in sulphate solutions.     

Extraction of uranium(VI) and plutonium(IV) with some high molecular weight aliphatic monoamides from nitric acid medium

The extraction behavior of U(VI) and Pu(IV) with dioctyloctanamide (DOOA), dioctylethylhexanamide (DOEHA) and diisobutylethylhexanamide (DIBEHA) was investigated from nitric acid medium. With DOOA, U(VI) extraction is higher than that for Pu(IV) upto 5M HNO₃ and the trend is reversed at higher acid concentrations. Extraction yield of U(VI) is higher than that for Pu(IV) in the case of DOEHA and DIBEHA. DIBEHA extraction of Pu(IV) is found to be very small. The lower value of the distribution ratio for Pu(IV) with branched amides was attributed to steric reasons. The possibility of using these amides for separation of U(VI) and Pu(IV) without valency adjustment was explored. Both U(VI) and Pu(IV) are extracted as their disolvates by DOOA and DOEHA.     

溶剂萃取动力学的研究 II: 三辛基氧化膦从盐酸体系中萃取铀(IV)的速率

The kinetics of the oxtraction of U(IV) chloride in the TOPO-HCl system has been studied using the single drop technique, The effects of the concentrations of U(IV, TOPO and HCl on the extraction rate for U(IV) have been examined. The extraction rate measured were found to be of first order with respect to (U(IV)) and (TOPO) (0). Moreover, the rate varied with (HCl)^3^/^2 between 2-7M hydrochloric acid. The extraction rate equation can be written as R=K(U(IV))(TOPO)(0) The rate constant K was evaluated to be 3.7X10^-^5 at 3M HCl and 15`C. The extraction rate was increased with increasing temperature. The apparent activation energy was found to be 10.8 kcal/mol between 15 to 45`C. It is suggested that the rate-controlling step may be the chemical reaction of UCl4 with TOPO at the interface and the formation of the interfacial complex UCL4.TOPO.     

Kinetic studies on the solvent extraction of uranium (IV), thorium (IV) and uranium (VI) from nitric acid solutions with tributyl phosphate

The kinetics of solvent extraction of U (IV), Th (IV) and U (VI) from nitric acid solution with tributyl phosphate (TBP) in kerosene and cyclohexane have been studied using the single drop technique. The effects of concentrations of U (IV), Th (IV), U (VI), nitric acid, nitrate, TBP and temperature on the extraction rates of U (IV), Th (IV) and U (VI) have been examined. The mechanisms for the three extraction processes are discussed.     

Die Extraktion von Uran(IV) aus wäßrig-organischen Salpetersäurelösungen mit dem Nitrat des sekundären Amins Amberlite LA-1

The distribution of U(IV) between methanolic, ethanolic and acetonic aqueous nitric acid solutions and the nitrate of the secondary amine Amberlite LA-1 in cyclohexane was investigated. The distribution of the excess acid and the alcohol (acetone) was also investigated. The U(IV) distribution data were correlated with 1) the content of nitric acid and U(IV)-hexanitratocomplex in the mixed aqueous-organic phase and 2) with the concentration of excess acid and methanol (acetone) in the organic phase. These correlations indicate that the extraction of U(IV) is mainly determined by 1) the shift of the complex equilibrium from the side of cationic species to that of neutral and anionic complexes and 2) the competition between these metal complexes and the acid as solvating partners for the extractant molecules. Spectrophotometric investigations show that in the organic phase uranium is present as a hexanitrato complex.     

Potentiometric studies on aqueous fluoride complexes of actinides: Stability constants of Th(IV)-, U(IV)-, Np(IV)- and Pu(IV)-fluorides

The extraction behaviour of Th(IV) and U(VI) in extraction chromatography has been investigated on the basis of partition and infrared studies. The stationary phase was purified undiluted TBP supported on Amberlite XAD-4 and the mobile phase was nitric acid. The results have shown that the equilibria for the extraction of Th(IV) and U(VI) by the TBP/XAD-4 resin agreed very closely with those in solvent extraction.     

Di(2-ethyl hexyl) butyramide and di(2-ethyl hexyl)isobutyramide as extractants for uranium(VI) and plutonium(IV)

The extraction of uranium(VI) and plutonium(IV) from nitric acid into n-dodecane was studied using two isomeric branched alkyl amides, di(2-ethyl hexyl) butyramide (DEHBA) and di(2-ethyl hexyl) isobutyramide (DEHIBA). The extraction ratios of Pu(IV) at relatively high acidities were higher than the corresponding values for U(VI) in the case of DEHBA. However, with DEHIBA the values for Pu(IV) were negligibly small. Pu(IV) was found to be extracted as trisolvate by DEHBA and as disolvate by DEHIBA. U(VI) was extracted by both the amides. From the study of the extraction reactions at different temperatures, it was shown that all the reactions in the present investigation were enthalpy favoured and entropy disfavoured. Separation of Pu(IV) from bulk of U(VI) was feasible. However, the purity of the separated plutonium was not satisfactory in batch extraction studies.     

Kinetics and mechanism of stripping of Pu(IV) by <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dimethylhydroxylamine using a Lewis cell

The kinetics of back-extraction of Pu(IV) from 30% Tri-Butyl-Phosphate/Odourless Kerosene (TBP/OK) into a nitric acid solution containing N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine (DMHAN) have been investigated using a Lewis cell. The different parameters affecting the back-extraction rate of Pu(IV) such as plutonium, nitric acid, DMHAN concentration in addition to temperature, stirring speed were separately studied and a rate equation was deduced. The activation energy of this process is 28.4 kJ/mol.     

New extractants for reprocessing of spent Th-U fuel

A study on solvent extraction of U(VI), Th(IV) and HNO₃ from nitric acid media by DEHSO is described. Extraction coefficients of U(VI), Th(IV) and HNO₃ as a function of aqueous HNO₃ concentration, extractant concentration and temperature have been studied. From the data the compositions of extracted species, equilibrium constants and enthalpies of extraction reaction have been evaluated. Back-extraction of U(VI) and Th(IV) from the organic phase by dilute nitric acid has also been tested. All studies on DEHSO are compared with TBP.     

Extraction of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) from nitric acid solution by N-alkylcaprolactam

Extraction of uranium(VI), thorium(IV) from nitric acid has been studied with N-octylcaprolactam and N-(2-ethyl)hexylcaprolactam. Distribution coefficients of U(VI), Th(IV) and HNO₃ as a function of aqueous NHO₃ concentration, extractant concentration and temperature have been studied. The compositions of extracted species, thermodynamic parameters of extraction have been evaluated. Third phase formation in extraction of U(VI) has been studied. Back extraction behavior of U(VI) and Th(IV) from the organic phase has also been tested. The results obtained are compared with those obtained by using TBP under the same experimental conditions.     

Extraction of uranium(IV) from phosphoric acid solutions with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoylpyrazolone-5 (PMBP)

The extraction of uranium(IV) from phosphoric acid solutions with PMBP and PMBP-TOPO mixtures has been studied. The synergic extraction with PMBP-TOPO is more effective than the simple chelate extraction with PMBP and both systems are more effective than the synergic extraction of uranium(VI) with DEHPA-TOPO. It is established that the complexes extracted are U(PMBP)(4) and U(PMBP)(4).TOPO for the chelate and synergic extraction respectively. The most probable uranium(VI) species in the aqueous phase (2.9-6.33M H(3)PO(4)) is the neutral complex U(H(5)P(2)O(8))(4). Analytical methods suitable for determination of uranium in phosphoric acid solutions have been developed. The highest sensitivity is achieved by combining the synergic extraction with the uranium(IV)-arsenazo III colour reaction.     

Platinum catalyzed reduction of uranium(VI) with hydrazine in sulfuric acid media

The process of platinum-catalyzed uranium(VI) reduction with hydrazine in sulfuric acid media has been studied. The influence of sulfuric acid and hydrazine concentrations, and temperature on the reaction rate were investigated. A new reaction mechanism is proposed. The process allows to obtain pure U(IV) sulfate solutions with concentrations of up to 0.3 mol·l^–1. Further increase of initial U(VI) concentrations is limited by the reductant solubility in sulfuric acid media.     

Studies on the liquid-liquid phase distribution equilibria of selenium,and its measurement in water using extraction plant with a pulsation column

Normal heptane, xylene, and a 0.01 molar solution of 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine in toluene have been investigated as extractants for selenium(IV) from nitric acid media in potassium iodide. Various parameters affecting the distribution of the element are investigated. Extraction at high aqueous to organic phase volume ratio has been studied, using a liquid-liquid extraction plant with a pulsation column. The results have been employed to measure selenium in spiked water samples.