A new method for the radiochemical separation of copper from fission products

A new method for obtaining radiochemically pure⁶⁷Cu from highly active fission product solutions is described. The method is based on the solvent extraction of the Cu(II)-diethyldithiocarbamate complex in n-butyl acetate in the presence of hold-back carriers for Ni, Co, Mn, Mo, rare earths, Cd, Te and Sb, and subsequent purification steps involving scavengings for Ag, Ba, Sr and Fe followed by an anion-exchange purification step for decontamination from Te. Copper is finally extracted as the α-benzoin oxime complex in which form it is mounted and counted. The method has several advantages over other methods in that decontamination is very high and it is sufficiently fast considering the stringent radiochemical purity achieved. The⁶⁷Cu separated by this procedure from a one-day-old mixture of fission products arising from 10¹⁰ fissions was found to be completely free of any contamination.     

Resourceability on nuclear fuel cycle by transmutation approach

A resourceability on nuclear fuel cycle by transmutation of fission products in the spent fuel of nuclear reactors is discussed in this paper to investigate the feasibility of "creation and utilization" of Après ORIENT from Adv.-ORIENT cycle,in which chemical "separation and utilization" of nuclear rare metals(platinum group metals,Mo,Tc,rare earth,etc.) has been proposed since FY2006.Après ORIENT research program was newly initiated in FY2011 for nuclear transmutation of fission products into stable or short-lived highly-valuable elements.In the resourceability of rare earth metals from fission products,non-radioactive Nd and Dy can be created from Pr and Tb,respectively,by transmutation.Especially,the Dy creation has a relatively high feasibility of about 10-20 %/y in creation rate.A proper moderation of neutrons in blanket of fast reactors may be required to provide a high creation rate of La from Ba.In light platinum group metals,non-radioactive Ru can be created from Tc by transmutation,of which creation rate is about 4-5 %/y in blanket of fast reactors.Pd created from Rh is almost non-radioactively depending on the isotope fraction of 107 Pd.Rh creation from Ru is not feasible under the neutron irradiation of typical nuclear reactors.     

Kathodenstrahlpolarographische Bestimmung von Spurenelementen in Tetrachlorogolds?ure nach ionenaustausch-chromatographischer Trennung

Zusammenfassung Die kathodenstrahlpolarographische Bestimmung von Ni, Pb, Cu, Co, Fe, Mo, Te, Sn, Zn, Bi, Cd, Tl in Tetrachlorogoldsäure wird beschrieben. Die Nachweisgrenzen liegen im 10^–4%- bzw. 10^–5%-Bereich (Ni, Co, Mo). Die Spuren werden über einen Ionenaustauscher AG 1X8 untereinander und von der Matrix getrennt.

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Cathode-ray polarographic determination of trace elements in tetrachloroauric acid after separation by ion exchange

A method is described for the cathode-ray polarographic determination of traces of Ni, Pb, Cu, Co, Fe, Mo, Te, Sn, Zn, Bi, Cd, Tl in H(AuCl₄). Gold is separated from the trace metals by absorption on the strongly basic anion-exchange resin AG 1X8. The detection limits are within the ranges of 10^–4% and 10^–5% ((Ni, Co, Mo).

     

Method and apparatus for vacuum-thermic extraction (VTE) of toxic and essential elements from soils in oxidation-reduction medium in connection with analytical applications — I

A method is presented for simultaneous separation of traces of toxic and essential elements from soils. The method is based on programmed vacuum-thermic extraction of the elements in an oxidation-reduction medium. Under optimal conditions of temperature and pressure Pb, Zn, Cd, Bi, Tl, As, Sb, Te, Mo, Hg and Re are distilled or sublimated in elementary state or as oxides. A simple quartz apparatus is proposed. The elements extracted from matrix are dissolved in nitric acid and determined by AAS or OES with ICP excitation.     

Methyl isobutyl ketone extraction of iodide complexes from sulphuric acid-potassium iodide media and back-extraction into an aqueous phase

The methyl isobutyl ketone extraction of 15 elements (Cu, Ag, Zn, Cd, In, Tl, Ge, Sn, As, Sb, Bi, Se, Te, Mo and Pd) as iodide complexes from 0.1-5 M sulphuric acid/0.01-0.5M potassium iodide media has been studied. At the optimum potassium iodide concentrations, and a 1:2 v v ratio of organic to aqueous phase, Cu(II), Ag, Cd, In(III), Tl(III), Sb(III), Bi, Te(IV) and palladium(II) are completely extracted in a single step from 1-5M sulphuric acid. All these elements except palladium are also quantitatively extracted from 0.05-0.5M iodide/2M sulphuric acid. Zn, Sn(IV) and As(III) are completely extracted at high acid and iodide concentrations, and at the highest concentrations of acid and iodide investigated, Ge is partly extracted and Mo(VI) is slightly extracted. The extraction of Se(IV) is incomplete because of its reduction to the elemental state by iodide. The back-extraction of the elements has also been investigated and the forms in which they are extracted and potential analytical separations and interferences are discussed.     

Spektrographische Bestimmung von Verunreinigungen in Mo(VI)-oxid mit Tetra?thylammoniumjodidpuffer

Zusammenfassung Eine direkte spektrographische Methode zur Bestimmung von As, Te, Sb, Pb, Sn, Bi, Cd, Ag, W, Ti, Fe, Cu und Zn in Mo(VI)-oxid durch Anwendung eines neuen thermochemischen Reagenses — Tetraäthylammoniumjodid (TEAI) — wurde entwickelt. Der TEAI-Puffer gewährleistet eine vollständigere Trennung der zu bestimmenden Elemente von der Matrix und eine höhere Empfindlichkeit im Vergleich zum bisher verwendeten Graphitpulver. Durch Anwendung eines inhomogenen Magnetfeldes bzw. durch Zufuhr von KJ oder ZnO wird eine weitere nachträgliche Erhöhung der Empfindlichkeit bei der Bestimmung der meisten Verunreinigungen erzielt. Das Verfahren zeichnet sich durch gute Reproduzierbarkeit und Genauigkeit aus.

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Direct spectrographic determination of impurities in Mo(VI) oxide using a tetraethylammonium iodide buffer

A direct spectrographic method for the determination of As, Te, Sb, Pb, Sn, Bi, Cd, Ag, W, Ti, Fe, Cu and Zn in Mo(VI) oxide has been developed by using a new thermochemical agent, tetraethylammonium iodide (TEAI). The TEAI-Buffer ensures a complete separation of the elements to be determined from the matrix and a higher sensitivity by comparison with the graphite powder commonly used in practice. A higher sensitivity for most impurities has further been achieved by using an inhomogeneous magnetic field or by adding KI or ZnO, respectively. Main advantage of the method is its good reproducibility and precision.

     

Measurement of absolute intensity of 1001 keV gamma-ray of 234mPa

The sorption behavior of ²³⁵U fission fission products ⁹⁹Mo and ¹³²Te was studied through batch and dynamic experiments when they were dissolved in 1 to 7M HNO₃ solutions. It was found that ⁹⁹Mo is always totally adsorbed on hydrated SnO₂, while ¹³²Te is rather weakly adsorbed, therefore they can be separated from each other although ¹³²Te in the solution still remains contaminated with other radionuclides as well as ⁹⁹Mo does in the solid.     

The titrimetric determination of calcium and magnesium in silicate rocks

A cation-exchange scheme is described for the separation of calcium and magnesium from interfering elements in rapid silicate analysis. Interfering elements can be eluted from the ammonium form of Zeo-Karb 225 with a solution of the ammonium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid at pH 4.5. Calcium and magnesium are not eluted with this reagent but can be eluted consecutively with ammonium chloride solution and titrated photometrically with EDTA. Calcium and magnesium can be separated quantitatively from Al, Fe, Ti, Mn, Bi, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mo, Ni, U, V, rare earths, and Zn.     

Solvent extraction of metal xanthates

The solvent extraction of metal xanthates is reviewed with emphasis on the characteristics and analytical uses of ethyl xanthate complexes. Elements reviewed include As, Sb, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu. Cr, Ga, Au, In, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pd, Pt, Re, Ag, Se, Te, Tc, Tl, Sn, U, V and Zn.     

Anion exchange separation of chromium and molybdenum from iron,vanadium, uranium and other elements in malonic acid solution

Summary Anion-exchange behaviour of chromium (III) and molybdenum (VI) was studied in malonate media. They form anionic complexes with malonic acid at pH 5.6. Various eluants, such as mineral acids and their salts were tested and a selectivity scale evolved. Cr and Mo were separated from Tl(I), alkali and alkaline earth elements by selective sorption and from Co(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) by selective washing with water. They were separated from many other elements by selective elution. The sequential separation of Fe(III) V(IV), Cr(III), Mo(VI) and U(VI) was significant.     

Elution of 235U fission products through a calcined hydrotalcite-packed column

Calcined hydrotalcite packed columns were utilized to sorb ²³⁵U fission products and their decay products. The elution behavior of some radionuclides was studied after washing the columns, either with distilled water or 0.5% NaCl solution. Afterwards, fission products and their decay products were eluted using 0.5% NaCl solution. It was found that no matter the washing process, ^99mTc, the b^--decay product of ⁹⁹Mo, was easily separated from ⁹⁹Mo which was strongly retained on the hydrotalcite. ¹³²I, the b^--decay product of ¹³²Te, was eluted slowly and was separated from ¹³²Te which was retained on the column. ¹³¹I and ¹⁴⁰Ba were eluted together with ^99mTc and ¹³²I, although in smaller proportions.     

Composite ion exchanger for removal of sodium-24 from mineralizates of biological materials in neutron activation analysis

A composite ion exchanger containing hydrated antimony pentoxide (HAP) in polystyrene-divinylbenzene matrix has been prepared. Its sorption properties with respect to Na, As, Au, Cd, Cu, Ga, Hg, In, K, La, Mn, Mo (Tc), Pd, Pt, Sb, W and Zn have been examined. Sodium is quantitatively retained on the sorbent from 8M HCl solution as well as from a mixture of conc. H₂SO₄+ conc. HNO₃+H₂O (1+1+2). As, W, Cd and Sb are partially retained, while the remaining elements are not retained and can be quantitatively eluted. The composite ion exchanger is stable to oxidizing acid media and it can be directly applied to separation of²⁴Na from mineralizates of neutron-irradiated biological materials.     

Anion-exchange separation of scandium from yttrium,lanthanum, cerium and other elements in malonic and ascorbic acid media

Summary The anion-exchange behaviour of scandium was studied in malonate and ascorbate media on Dowex 2×8 colums (1.4×18 cm). It forms anionic complexes with 8% malonic acid at pH 5.0 and 5% ascorbic acid at pH 6.5. Various eluants such as mineral acids and their corresponding salts were tested eluants and their efficiencies evaluated. Scandium was separated from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals Tl(I), Hg(II) and Fe(II). It was separated from Co, Ni, Pd, Mn, Cd and Zn by selective washing of the column and from other elements by selective elution in both systems. The separation of scandium from Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd and Dy were a remarkable feature of the method.     

四丁基溴化铵-KI-水体系浮选分离钯(Ⅱ)的研究

研究了四丁基溴化铵-KI体系分离钯的行为及与其他金属离子分离的条件。实验结果表明,在水溶液中,Pd(Ⅱ)与四丁基溴化铵和KI形成不溶于水的三元缔合物[PdI4][TBAB]2,此三元缔合物沉淀浮于盐水相上层形成界面清晰的液-固两相。当四丁基溴化铵和KI的浓度分别为7.0×10-4mol/L和2.0×10-3mol/L时,Pd(Ⅱ)的浮选率达到99.5%以上。而Ce(Ⅲ),Fe(Ⅱ),Sn(Ⅳ),Co(Ⅱ),Mn(Ⅱ),Rh(Ⅲ),Zn(Ⅱ),Ga(Ⅲ),Cr(Ⅲ),Mo(Ⅵ),W(Ⅵ),Ni(Ⅱ),Al(Ⅲ)和V(Ⅴ)离子在该体系中不被浮选,实现了Pd(Ⅱ)与这些金属离子的定量分离。对合成水样中Pd(Ⅱ)的分离和测定,结果满意。该方法在微量钯的分离和富集分析中有一定的实用价值。     

Extraction system for flame atomic absorption spectrometric analysis of high-purity bismuth compounds

Two new ligands, 2-(2-benzoxazolyl)cyanoacetaldehyde and 2-(2-benzoxazolyl)malonaldehyde are proposed for extractive separation and preconcentration. The extraction behaviour of Ag, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, Sb and Zn with respect to pH, salt concentration and the presence of various masking agents was studied. A simple extraction procedure for the analysis of high-purity bismuth compounds was developed.     

Oximidobenzotetronic acid as a reagent for the separation and gravimetric determination of palladium and cobalt

Oximidobenzotetronic acid is recommended for the separation and gravimetric determination of palladium and cobalt An ethanolic solution of the reagent quantitatively precipitates palladium(II) from solutions which are 0.75 N in acid up to pH 5.1, the complex is weighed as Pd(C₉H₅NO₄)₂. Cobalt(II) can be determined in the filtrate after the precipitation of palladium. With 0.5 N acid solutions, no interference was found from Pt(IV), Ir(IV), Rh(III), Ru(III), Os(IV), Au(III), Ag(I), Cu(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Hg(II). Pb(II), Bi(III), Cd(II), As(V), Se(VI), Te(IV), Mo(VI), Sb(III), Al(III), Cr(III), Zn(II), Ti(IV), Zr(IV). acetate, oxalate, citrate, tartrate, phosphate and fluoride.     

A rapid and selective separation of palladium

Palladium was separated from Al, Ru, Rh, U, Pu and also from a mixture of fission products using -benzoin-oxime as the extractant and Solvesso-100 as the diluent. The extraction is quantitative over a wide range of acidity from 0.1M to 4M HNO₃. The method has been found to be equally effective to separate Pd at trace level (carrier-free form). The stoichiometry of the complex, the interference of foreign elements in Pd separation, etc., are reported. The applicability of the method to separate palladium formed in fission rapidly from all other fission products, especially the most strongly interfering molybdenum isotopes, and the recovery of this element from high level radioactive waste are also mentioned.     

Chloroform extraction of ethyl xanthate complexes from sulphuric acid media

The chloroform extraction of 30 elements (Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd, Ge, Sn, V, As, Sb, Bi, Cu, Ag, Au, Mn, Re, Ga, In, Tl, Se, Te, Cr, Mo, U, Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir, Ru and Ce) from 0.1-8M sulphuric acid in the presence of potassium ethyl xanthate has been studied. Pd(II), Bi, As(III), Sb(III), Se(IV) and Te(IV) are completely extracted and Au(III) is largely extracted over the range of acid concentration investigated. Fe(II), Tl(I), Rh(III) and Cr(VI) are only slightly extracted and Se(VI), Te(VI), Ru(III), Cr(III), Mn(II), Zn, Ce(IV), Ir(IV) and Ge(IV) are not extracted at all. Depending on the acid concentration, the remaining elements are all partly extracted. Results are compared with those obtained in an earlier study of the extraction of xanthate complexes from hydrochloric acid media. The processes involved in the formation of some xanthate complexes and potential analytical separations are discussed.     

A solid phase extraction using a chelate resin immobilizing carboxymethylated pentaethylenehexamine for separation and preconcentration of trace elements in water samples

A chelate resin immobilizing carboxymethylated pentaethylenehexamine (CM-PEHA resin) was prepared, and the potential for the separation and preconcentration of trace elements in water samples was evaluated through the adsorption/elution test for 62 elements. The CM-PEHA resin could quantitatively recover various elements, including Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Ti, U, and Zn, and rare earth elements over a wide pH range, and also Mn at pH above 5 and V and Mo at pH below 7. This resin could also effectively remove major elements, such as alkali and alkaline earth elements, under acidic and neutral conditions. Solid phase extraction using the CM-PEHA resin was applicable to the determination of 10 trace elements, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn, in certified reference materials (EnviroMAT EU-L-1 wastewater and ES-L-1 ground water) and treated wastewater and all elements except for Mn in surface seawater using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The detection limits, defined as 3 times the standard deviation for the procedural blank using 500 mL of purified water (50-fold preconcentration, n = 8), ranged from 0.003 μg L⁻¹ (Mn) to 0.28 μg L⁻¹ (Zn) as the concentration in 500 mL of solution.     

Preparation of99Mo,132Te isotopes and99mTc,132I generators

Adsorption and desorption of⁹⁵Zr−⁹⁵Nb,⁹⁹Mo,¹⁰³Ru,¹³²Te and²³⁹Np in a HCl-alumina system were studied in order to purify⁹⁹Mo and¹³²Te obtained by the cation-exchange separation of fission products and to prepare highly pure^99mTc and¹³²I generators.⁹⁹Mo and¹³²Te, of which radionuclidic purity was over 99.99% and 99.999%, respectively, could be obtained by passing the cation-exchange separated Mo and Te fractions through alumina columns, by washing with HCl and finally by eluting⁹⁹Mo with 1M NH₄OH and¹³²Te with 3M NaOH. In order to raise the recovery of⁹⁹Mo and¹³²Te from the alumina columns, they should be eluted as quickly as possible after the adsorption. The direct use of the alumina column containing⁹⁹Mo or¹³²Te as the generator allowed milking of^99mTc or¹³²I, of which radionuclidic purity was over 99.999%. Milking yields of^99mTc with 0.1M HCl and¹³²I with 0.01M NH₄OH were 77% and 90%, respectively. The latter value was much higher than that in usual performance of the generator.