Rapid quantification of TBP and TBP degradation product ratios by FTIR-ATR

Tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) is the key complexant within the plutonium and uranium reduction extraction process used to extract uranium and plutonium from used nuclear fuel. During reprocessing TBP degrades to dibutyl phosphate (DBP), butyl acid phosphate (MBP), butanol, and phosphoric acid over time. A method for rapidly monitoring TBP degradation is needed for the support of nuclear forensics. Therefore, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometry-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) technique was developed to determine approximate peak intensity ratios of TBP and its degradation products. The technique was developed by combining variable concentrations of TBP, DBP, and MBP to simulate TBP degradation. This method is achieved by analyzing selected peak positions and peak intensity ratios of TBP and DBP at different stages of degradation. The developed technique was tested on TBP samples degraded with nitric acid. In mock degradation samples, the 1,235 cm^?1 peak position shifts to 1,220 cm^?1 as the concentration of TBP decreases and DBP increases. Peak intensity ratios of TBP positions at 1,279 and 1,020 cm^?1 relative to DBP positions at 909 and 1,003 cm^?1 demonstrate an increasing trend as the concentration of DBP increases. The same peak intensity ratios were used to analyze DBP relative to MBP whereas a decreasing trend is seen with increasing DBP concentrations. The technique developed from this study may be used as a tool to determine TBP degradation in nuclear reprocessing via a rapid FTIR-ATR measurement without gas chromatography analysis.     

Extraction of tri- and tetravalent actinides with dihexyl N,N-diethylcarbamoylmethyl phosphonate (DHDECMP) and TBP from nitric acid solutions

Extraction of trivalent (Pu³⁺, Am³⁺, actinides and Eu³⁺, a representative of lanthanides) and tetravalent (Np⁴⁺ and Pu⁴⁺) actinides has been studied with dihexyl N,N-di-ethylcarbamoylmethyl phosphonate (DHDECMP) in combination with TBP in benzene from 2M nitric acid. The stoichiometries of the species extracted were found to be M(NO₃)₃·(3–n) TBP·n DHDECMP (for trivalent ions) and M(NO₃)₄·(2–n) TBP·n DHDECMP (for tetravalent ions) by the slope ratio method. The extraction constants evaluated (from the distribution data) indicate that for tetravalent ions (with solvation number two) the extraction constant increases when TBP (Kh=0.17) molecules are successively replaced by more basic DHDECMP (Kh=0.34) molecules. However, for trivalent ions (with solvation number three) when TBP molecules are totally replaced by DHDECMP molecules stereochemical factors appear and instead of increase, a substantial decrease in extraction constants is observed for Eu³⁺ and Am³⁺, a lesser decrease being observed for Pu³⁺ (larger ion).     

Temperature-programmed desorption of n-hexane from hydrated HZSM-5 and NH4ZSM-5 zeolites

Temperature-programmed desorption coupled with mass spectrometer as a detector (TPD), IR and ¹³C NMR measurements are used to study the adsorption of n-hexane on hydrated HZSM-5 and NH₄ZSM-5 zeolites. The ¹³C NMR measurements show that n-hexane can access the pore structure of ZSM-5 zeolites previously saturated with water. TPD spectra of n-hexane are monitored in the temperature region 50–300°C, in the case of fully or partially hydrated samples; two-stage desorption of n-hexane is found. Simultaneous desorption of water and n-hexane in the same temperature region are found, in all investigated samples.     

Phase diagram for the hexane-[Y(NO3)3(TBP)3]-acetonitrile liquid ternary

A phase diagram for the hexane-[Y(NO₃)₃(TBP)₃]-acetonitrile (1-2-3) liquid ternary at T = 298.15 K was studied. This ternary consists of two pairs of incompletely miscible liquids (hexane-acetonitrile and [Y(NO₃)₃(TBP)₃]-hexane). It contains two homogeneous liquid fields and one two-phase liquid field. One phase is depleted of acetonitrile and contains variable proportions of [Y(NO₃)₃(TBP)₃] and hexane; the other contains variable proportions of acetonitrile and [Y(NO₃)₃(TBP)₃] and small proportions of hexane. Intermolecular interaction parameters and excess Gibbs energies g ^E were calculated for binaries and the liquid ternary along binodal curves proceeding from miscibility data for the [Y(NO₃)₃(TBP)₃]-hexane and hexane-acetonitrile binaries and the liquid ternary and using equations of the NTRL model. For the liquid ternary, g ^E > 0.g ^E decreases in the following order of pairs of liquids: (1, 3), (1, 2), (2, 3). A computer algorithm is given for calculating binodal curves and tie-lines for the liquid ternary with the use of equations of the NTRL model proceeding from the intermolecular interaction parameters. Original Russian Text ? A.K. Pyartman, V.A. Keskinov, N.A. Charykov, 2009, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 54, No. 2, pp. 350–356.     

The triplet state of 4-nitro-N,N-dimethynaphthylamine

Nanosecond laser photolytic studies of 4-nitro-N,N-dimethylnaphthylamine (4-NDMNA) in nonpolar and polar solvents at room temperature show a transient species with an absorption maximum in the 500-510-nm range. This species is assigned to the lowest triplet excited state of 4-NDMNA. The absorption maximum of this state is independent of solvent polarity, and its lifetime is a function of the hydrogen donor efficiency of the solvent. In n-hexane the lifetime 1/k of the triplet state is 9.1 × 10^?6 sec, while in acetonitrile 1/k is 2.0 × 10^?7 sec. The hydrogen abstraction rate constant k_H of the triplet state with tributyl tin hydride (Bu₃SnH) in n-hexane is 1.7 × 10⁷M^?1·sec^?1, while in the case of isopropyl alcohol as hydrogen donor, k_H is 4.0 × 10⁷M^?1·sec^?1. The activation energy for the hydrogen abstraction by the triplet state from Bu₃SnH in deaerated n-hexane is 0.6 kcal/mol. The lack of spectral shift with increasing solvent polarity, and the appreciable hydrogen abstraction reactivity of the triplet state, also independent of solvent polarity, seem to indicate that this excited state is an n-π* state which retains its n-π* character even in polar media.     

Simulation of the Kinetics of Cyclohexane Oxidation in a Barrier Discharge Reactor

The kinetics of cyclohexane oxidation in a barrier discharge reactor was simulated for a single voltage pulse. A significant difference between the yields of O₃ obtained experimentally (not detected) and theoretically (15.5 wt %) suggests that O₃ was absent from the reaction mixture because of a fast reaction between O(³ P) and an excited cyclohexane molecule. This hypothesis was indirectly supported by experimental data on the oxidation of a mixture of n-hexane and cyclohexene (50 : 50 wt %). The integrated rate constant of the reaction of O(³ P) with n-hexane was 1.4 × 10^–12 cm³/s, which is an order of magnitude higher than the published value 1.2 × 10^–13 cm³/s.     

Tri-iso-amyl phosphate (TAP): An alternative extractant to tri-butyl phosphate (TBP) for reactor fuel reprocessing

Tri-iso-amyl phosphate (TAP), an indigenously prepared extractant was utilized for reactor fuel reprocessing and compared with tri-butyl phosphate (TBP) and tri-n-hexyl phosphate (THP). The potential of these extractants was found to be in the order TAP>THP>TBP by calculating the acid uptake value (K _H). The effect of various parameters such as solvent degradation due to acid hydrolysis, radiation effect, decontamination factor and phase separation were investigated and it was found that TAP was always a better extractant in comparison to THP and TBP. In addition to this, the extraction of fission product contaminants such as ¹⁴⁴Ce, ¹³⁷Cs, ¹⁰⁶Ru, ⁹⁵Zr was almost negligible, even at very high nitric acid concentrations in the aqueous phase, indicating the potential application of TAP in actinide partitioning. Sodium carbonate solution or acidified distilled water was a good strippant for U(VI), similarly, uranium(IV) nitrate stripped Pu(IV) from the organic phase.     

Adsorption of Tri‐n‐Butyl Phosphate (TBP) from NaClO4 Aqueous Solution on Hg Electrode

The adsorption of TBP on Hg electrode from aqueous NaClO₄ media has been studied using differential capacity and chronocoulometric measurements. TBP adsorbs in two steps, the first corresponding to a flat and second to a perpendicular orientation. Both orientations were observed in the entire investigated potential range. The maximal measured surface concentration (Γ_max) of TBP reaches a value of 1.55×10^?10 mol cm^?2, which corresponds to the theoretical value for densely packed molecules in perpendicular orientation. Γ value of the first isotherm step plateau is about 7 to 15% smaller than Γ_max and decreases strongly at potentials more negative than ?0.9 V due to the repelling of negative charges between the electrode and the phosphate group. The standard Gibbs energy of adsorption was found to reach the value of ?34 kJ mol^?1.     

Chemical ionization mass spectrometry—XIX: n-hexane and n-octane as reactants

The suitability of n-hexane and n-octane as reactant gases in chemical ionization mass spectrometry has been investigated. The mass spectra of these substances have been investigated as a function of pressure up to 2·4 Torr for n-hexane and 1·7 Torr for n-octane. The major ion present in n-hexane at 0·8 Torr is [C₆H₁₃]⁺ (m/e 85) with a relative intensity of 0·65. In n-octane at 0·8 Torr the major ions are [C₈H₁₇]⁺ (m/e 113), [C₆H₁₃]⁺ (m/e 85) and [C₅H₁₁]⁺ (m/e 71). The relative intensities of these ions are 0·38, 0·12 and 0·19, respectively. These alkyl ions in both n-hexane and n-octane are thought to have tertiary structures. Rate constants for the rates of reaction of the primary ions in the two compounds have been determined. The n-hexane chemical ionization spectra of 26 compounds were determined. The spectra of polar compounds are dominated by proton transfer, whereas those of nonpolar compounds exhibit proton transfer and in addition often surprisingly large amounts of electron transfer. The n-octane chemical ionization spectra of 15 compounds were determined and the spectra in general are quite similar to those obtained with n-hexane. n-Hexane and n-octane can be used as reagents in analytical chemical ionization mass spectrometry, but except in certain specialized uses they would probably have no advantage over i-butane.     

Peculiarities of asphaltene precipitation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkane-oil systems

n-Pentane-, n-hexane-, and n-heptane-insoluble asphaltenes obtained via a standard procedure by precipitating from oil solutions in n-pentane, n-hexane, and n-heptane, respectively, as well as n-pentane/n-hexane/n-heptane-insoluble and n-heptane/n-hexane/n-pentane-insoluble asphaltene constituents prepared through successive washing (fractional dissolution) of n-pentane-insoluble asphaltenes with n-hexane and n-heptane and n-heptane-insoluble asphaltenes with n-hexane and n-pentane, respectively, are studied. Asphaltenes and their constituents extracted from three oils distinguished by high contents of asphaltenes, resins, and paraffins, respectively, are investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy in carbon tetrachloride solutions. It is established that the mass fractions and the fragment compositions of asphaltenes and their constituents depend on both the type of oil and the procedure of their preparation; i.e., the precipitation from n-alkane-oil systems or the extraction through the successive washing with a series of n-alkanes. The obtained experimental data made it possible to formulate a hypothesis according to which the precipitation of asphaltenes from oils is controlled by not only the dissolving power of a solvent with respect to molecular components of initial oils, but also (and primarily) by the dissolving power of a solvent with respect to supramolecular structures of asphaltenes formed in n-alkane-oil systems.     

Study on the synergic extraction of uranium(VI) with petroleum sulfoxides (PSO) and tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) mixture

The synergic extraction of uranium(VI) from nitric acid solution with petroleum sulfoxides (PSO) and tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) mixture has been studied. It has been found that maximum synergic extraction effect occurs if the molar ratio of PSO to TBP is two to three. The composition of the complex of synergic extraction is UO₂(NO₃)₂·TBP·PSO. The formation constant of the complex isK _PT=8.19. The effect of extractant concentration, nitric acid concentration, salting-out agent concentration and temperature on the extraction equilibrium of uranium(VI) was also studied.     

Pressurization studies in a sealed autoclave for thermal decomposition of nitrated TBP and TiAP

Study of runaway reaction between tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) and nitric acid resulting in red-oil formation (and related problems) in the process evaporators of reprocessing plants has been a major safety concern since last 50 years. Thermal decomposition of nitrated TBP results in rapid pressurization and in close-vent condition it may lead to failure of process vessel and containment. Thermal decomposition of nitrated TBP is reported in the literature but corresponding studies for alternate PUREX/UREX solvent tri-iso-amyl phosphate (TiAP) are not available. In this work, comparative study of the thermal decomposition of nitrated solvents (TBP as well as TiAP) under adiabatic conditions in a sealed autoclave is presented. Experimental results indicate much lesser pressurization in the case of TiAP as compared to TBP.     

Evaluation of the Thermodynamic Parameters for the Adsorption of Some Hydrocarbons on Chemically Treated-Bentonites by Inverse Gas Chromatography

Inverse gas chromatography has been used to evaluate the adsorption parameters (ΔH_a, ΔH_st, ΔS_a and ΔG_a) of some probe molecules, each representing a class of organic (n-hexane, cyclohexane, benzene, n-octane, 1-octene and isooctane) on bentonite and chemically treated-bentonites. The adsorption parameters of the probes on the bentonite samples were determined in infinite dilution region. Adsorption of the organic species was investigated in the temperature range of 200–275^∘C, using a flame ionization detector, and nitrogen as a carrier gas. The net retention volumes (V_n) of the probes were determined by the help of the retention times (t_R) observed on gas chromatograms for each probe. Injection was made at least three times for each probe, obtaining reproducible results of ± 0.5%. It was found that benzene exhibits more negative ΔH than for n-hexane and cyclohexane on all of the adsorbents. In addition, it was found that 1-octene exhibits more negative ΔH than for n-octane and isooctane on the chemically treated-bentonites, whereas n-octane exhibits more negative ΔH than for 1-octene and isooctane on the natural bentonite. Also, interactions of benzene with the natural- and chemically treated-bentonites were found to be stronger than those of n-hexane and cyclohexane with the same carbon number. Again, interactions of the 1-octene with the chemically treated-bentonites were found to be stronger those of n-octane and isooctane with the same carbon number. On the contrary, interactions of n-octane with the untreated-bentonite were found to be stronger than those of 1-octene and isooctane.     

Separation of bulk Y from 89Y(n,p) produced 89Sr by extraction chromatography using TBP coated XAD-4 resin

⁸⁹Sr was produced using the ⁸⁹Y(n, p) ⁸⁹Sr reaction by irradiating yttria target in the fast breeder test reactor (FBTR). An analytical scale procedure was standardized for the removal of the bulk target yttrium by solvent extraction using the tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP). The final purification of ⁸⁹Sr source was carried out by ion exchange chromatography. However, extraction chromatography is preferred to solvent extraction due to its low waste generation and ease of operation. This paper reports the separation of Sr from bulk Y and other radioactive impurities produced during irradiation by extraction chromatography using TBP coated XAD-4 resin. Initially the separation procedure was standardized using ⁸⁵Sr and ⁸⁸Y tracers. The ⁸⁹Sr in the dissolver solution of the irradiated yttria target was separated under the same standardized conditions. The study established the separation of Sr from Y in the dissolver solution of the irradiated target yttria by the TBP coated XAD-4 column. However the evaluation of the column after every use for about three separation studies exhibited the reduction in its breakthrough capacity for yttrium.     

Nature of the absorbing species from pulse radiolysis of n-hexane

The results of picosecond pulse radiolysis studies of n-hexane at 213 K over the wavelength region of 450 and 750 nm are presented. Scavengers were used to determine the charge of the absorbing species. It was found that scavengers, typically thought of as electron scavengers, e.g. ethyl bromide, carbon disulfide and ethyl iodide, can also act as hole scavengers in n-hexane at early times. The optical absorption of solutions of these scavengers was at least partially due to a positive scavenger ion rather than the n-hexyl ion. Preliminary evidence indicated that the the absorbing species at 600 nm might be an excited state. There was also evidence from comparative studies of n-hexane and n-decane at room temperature that the absorption at 480 nm was partially due to the positive n-hexyl ion.     

Dipolar Complexation in Binary Mixtures of Tri-n-Butyl Phosphate (TBP) with Long-Chain Aliphatic Alcohols

Abstract

The mean square dipole moments of the 1:1 complexes of tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) with 1-hexanol, 1-heptanol and 1-octanol in benzene are determined following two different methods i.e., one based on Onsager's method and the other using modified Palit's method. The interaction dipole moment for the thermodynamically most favoured geometry of 1:1 complexes of the system involving 1-hexanol, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol as the first components and TBP as the second component is evaluated. The results indicate that complexation is predominantly due to polarization effect involving charge redistribution. Furthermore, the induced excess polarization and apparent complexation constant in these mixtures are calculated.     

Catalytic Performance of Re/Ga2O3/WO3/ZrO2 Catalyst for n-Hexane Isomerization

A series of Re/Ga₂O₃/WO₃/ZrO₂ catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method. The crystalline structure, redox, and acid site distribution of the catalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction of H₂, and temperature-programmed desorption of NH₃. Their catalytic performance for n-hexane isomerization was studied. The results showed that the addition of Re greatly affected the redox properties and the acid site distribution of the catalysts. Owing to the presence of Re, n-hexane isomerization was catalyzed by metal and acid sites, and thus the conversion of n-hexane and the selectivity for 2,2-dimethylbutane were significantly increased. Under the conditions of 195 °C, 1.0 MPa, LHSV = 1.0 h⁻¹, and n(H₂)/n(C₆) = 2.0, the conversion of n-hexane over 1.0%Re/1.0%Ga₂O₃/WO₃/ZrO₂ is 84.8%, and the selectivities for 2,2-dimethylbutane, i-hexane, and cracking products (C_5-) are 20%, 97.7%, and 2.1%, respectively. The catalyst is stable during 150 h operation.     

Recent advances in studying energy transfer kinetics by using TBP as a chemical probe

The characteristic properties of TBP and the advantage of using TBP as an energy donor or an acceptor have been described. TBP can be used as a probe for detecting the excited states of alkanes, more reliable G values of alkanes have been obtained. The rate constants of the energy transfer for TBP-alkanes binary systems have been determined. The energy transfer process is controlled by diffusive motion of the reactive species. TBP also can be used as a probe for detecting the geminate ion pairs of alkanes.     

Isomerization of n-Hexane Over Platinum Ion-Exchanged Zeolite Beta

Zeolite Beta was synthesized from appropriate gels and crystallized under the controlled temperature and pressurized conditions. For isomerization of n-hexane, platinum ion-exchanged zeolite Beta exhibited high activity and selectivity for 2,2-dimethylbutane (2,2-DMB), 2,3-dimethylbutane (2,3-DMB), 2-methylpentane (2-MP) and 3-methylpentane (3-MP). As high as 72% of n-hexane conversion and 98% of product selectivity were obtained at 250°C, 1600 h^–1 for 20 min on stream. The influences of reaction temperature and space velocity were also studied. Pt/H-Beta zeolite was recommended as one of the promising catalyst for n-hexane isomerization due to its high activity and stability. The combined effect of the stronger acidity possessed by H-Beta and the dehydrogenation role played by Pt was believed to be responsible for the good catalytic performance of Pt/H-Beta.     

Facilitated Transport of Penicillin G by Bulk Liquid Membrane with TBP as Carrier

The facilitated transport of penicillin G from aqueous solutions to the stripping phase through bulk liquid membrane (BLM) containing TBP in 3% iso-octanol and n-butyl acetate was studied. Na₂CO₃ solution was used as the stripping phase. Experiments were performed as a function of stirring rate, TBP concentration and type of diluent in the liquid membrane phase, pH, and initial penicillin G concentration in the feed phase, Na₂CO₃ concentration in the stripping phase, etc. The results showed that the BLM process could carry out the simultaneous separation and concentration of penicillin G from dilute aqueous solutions, and arise “up-hill” effect due to the characteristic of non-equilibrium mass transfer. The diffusion of penicillin G complex in the liquid membrane phase played an important role in BLM process. The mass transfer mechanism of BLM for this system was also discussed.