Synthesis of dihydroxyurea and its application to the U/Pu split in the PUREX process

Dihydroxyurea (DHU) was synthesized using tri-associated solid phosgene [bis(trichloromethyl) carbonate] dissolved in dioxane and hydroxylamine hydrochloride dissolved in potassium acetate solution. The reduction of Pu(IV) by DHU was investigated using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The reduction back-extraction behavior of Pu(IV) in 30% tri-butyl phosphate/kerosene was firstly investigated under conditions of various temperature, various DHU and HNO₃ concentrations and various phase contact times. The results showed that Pu(IV) in the organic phase can be stripped rapidly to the aqueous phase by DHU. Simulating the 1B contactor of the PUREX process using a 0.1 M DHU in 0.36M nitric acid solution as the stripping agent, the separation factors of uranium/plutonium can reach 2.1·10⁴. This indicates that DHU is a promising salt free agent for uranium/plutonium separation.     

The application of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dimethylhydroxylamine as reductant for the separation of plutonium from uranium

Both single stage and multi-stages experiments on stripping plutonium with N,N-dimethylhydroxylamine (DMHAN) as reductant with methylhydrozine (MMH) as supporting reductant were carried out. The effect of contact time, temperature, acidity, concentration of DMHAN on back-extraction rate of plutonium was investigated in the single stage experiment. The results demonstrated that the reaction of stripping Pu(IV) in the organic phase (30% TBP–kerosene) 1BF solutions by DMHAN exhibits excellent stripping efficiency. Under the given conditions, the back-extraction rate of plutonium reaches 90% within 2 min. Higher temperature, lower acidity and the increased concentration of DMHAN benifit the stripping reaction. The concentration profile of HNO₃, uranium and plutonium were determined in a multi-stages mixer-settler after the steady state of the back-extraction, and the multi-stages results show that the plutonium can be separated effectively from uranium. The recovery of plutonium and uranium reach 99.995% or over 99.99% respectively. The separation factor of U from Pu (SF_Pu/U) is about 2 × 10⁴.     

Sorption of Pu in various oxidation states onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The sorption of Pu(IV), polymeric Pu(IV), Pu(V) and Pu(VI) from the 0.1 M NaClO₄ solution onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes was investigated. The kinetic study of the sorption process have shown that the polymeric Pu(IV) has the highest sorption rate, while decrease of sorption rate for plutonium aqua-ions in the order Pu(VI) > Pu(IV) > Pu(V) was found. Strong dependence of sorption kinetics of ionic plutonium species on pH was shown, in contrast to polymeric species, that were shown to quantitatively sorb (99%) in the wide pH range (pH 2–10). Two different sorption mechanisms for ionic and polymeric plutonium species were proposed: on the bases of sorption isotherms chemisorptions of plutonium aqua-ions onto carbon nanotubes and through intermolecular interaction for the polymeric plutonium species was defined. Distribution coefficients of plutonium in various oxidation states were found to increase with pH, showing the highest values for polymeric plutonium sorption (K _d  = 2.4 × 10⁵ mL g⁻¹ at pH = 6).     

Kinetics of the reduction of plutonium(IV) by hydroxyurea, a novel salt-free agent

The kinetics of the reduction of plutonium(IV) by hydroxyurea (HU), a novel salt free reductant, in nitric acid solutions has been studied. The observed reaction rate can be expressed as: -d[Pu(IV)]/dt=k ₀[Pu(IV)]²[HU]/[H⁺]^0.9, where k ₀ = 5853±363 (l^1.1.mol^-1.1.s^-1) at t = 13 °C. The activation energy is about 81.2 kJ/mol. The study also shows that uranium(VI) has no appreciable influence on the reaction rate. Compared with other organic reductants our experiments indicate that HU is a very fast reductant for plutonium(IV). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Distribution and identification of Plutonium(IV) species in tri-n-butyl phosphate/HNO3 extraction system containing acetohydroxamic acid

There was a significant research progress achieved with the aim to modify conventional PUREX process by stripping of plutonium from the tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) extraction product in the form of non-extractable complexes upon addition of back-hold complexation agents. The present paper reports effects of such salt-free complexant, acetohydroxamic acid (HAHA), on distribution ratio of Pu(IV) under wide concentration of nitric acid and additional nitrate. General formula of plutonium species present in the organic phase can be described as Pu(OH)_x(AHA)_y(NO3)_4−x−y·2TBP·wHNO₃.     

Hydroxylamine derivative in Purex Process

The kinetics of oxidation-reduction reactions between N,N-diethylhydroxylamine (DEHAN) and plutonium(IV) in nitric acid solution have been studied by spectrophotometry at 25.2 °C. The initial rate equation of the reaction is -d[Pu(IV)]/dt=k ₀[Pu(IV)]²[DEHAN]^1.26/[H⁺]^2.53, where the rate constant of the reaction (k ₀) is (5.93±0.84)^.10³ (mol/l)^0.27 min^-1. The complete rate equation and the rate constants of the reaction are also derived.     

Complexation of plutonium(IV) with sulfate at variable temperatures

The complexation of plutonium(IV) with sulfate at variable temperatures has been investigated by solvent extraction method. A NaBrO₃ solution was used as holding oxidant to maintain the plutonium(IV) oxidation state throughout the experiments. The distribution ratio of Pu(IV) between the organic and aqueous phases was found to decrease as the concentrations of sulfate were increased. Stability constants of the 1:1 and 1:2 Pu(IV)-HSO₄ ⁻ complexes, dominant in the aqueous phase, were calculated from the effect of [HSO₄ ⁻] on the distribution ratio. The enthalpy and entropy of complexation were calculated from the stability constants at different temperatures using the Van’t Hoff equation.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reactions of Picolinic Acid with Dichloro-{1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole}palladium(II) Complexes

The reaction between Pd(N,N′)Cl₂ [N,N′ ≡ 1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole (N,N′) and picolinic acid (picH) have been studied spectrophotometrically at λ = 463 nm in MeCN at 298 K. The product is [Pd(pic)₂] which has been verified by the synthesis of the pure compound from Na₂[PdCl₄] and picH. The kinetics of the nucleophilic substitution reaction have been studied under pseudo-first-order conditions. The reaction proceeds in a two-step-consecutive manner (A → B → C); each step follows first order kinetics with respect to each complex and picH where the rate equations are: Rate 1 = {k′₀ + k′₂[picH]₀} × [Pd(N,N′)Cl₂] and Rate 2 = {k′′₀ + k′′₂[picH]₀}[Pd(N,O)(monodentate N,N′)Cl₂] such that the first step second order rate constant (k′₂) is greater than the second step second order rate constant (k′′₂). External addition of Cl⁻ (as LiCl) suppresses the rate. Increase in π-acidity of the N,N′ ligand, increases the rate. The reaction has been studied at different temperatures and the activation parameters (Δ^‡H° and Δ^‡S°) were calculated from the Eyring plot.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methylethylamine by bis(hydrogenperiodato)argentate(III) complex anion

Oxidation of N-methylethylamine by bis(hydrogenperiodato)argentate(III) ([Ag(HIO₆)₂]⁵⁻) in alkaline medium results in demethylation, giving rise to formaldehyde and ethylamine as the oxidation products. The oxidation kinetics has been followed spectrophotometrically in the temperature range of 20.0–35.0 °C, and shows an overall second-order character: being first-order with respect to both Ag(III) and N-methylethylamine. The observed second-order rate constants k′ increase with increasing [OH⁻] of the reaction medium, but decrease with increasing the total concentration of periodate. An empirical rate expression for k′ has been derived as: k′ = (k _a + k _b[OH⁻])K ₁/{f([OH⁻])[IO₄ ⁻]_tot + K ₁}, where k _a and k _b are rate parameters, and K ₁ is an equilibrium constant. These parameters have been evaluated at all the temperatures studied, enabling calculation of activation parameters. A reaction mechanism is suggested to involve two pre-equilibria, leading to formation of an intermediate Ag(III) complex, namely [Ag(HIO₆)(OH)(MeNHEt)]²⁻. In the subsequent rate-determining steps, this intermediate undergoes inner-sphere electron transfer from the coordinated amine to the metal center via two distinct routes, one of which is spontaneous while the other is mediated by a hydroxide ion.     

Synthesis and phase relations in the system with garnet-type composition: [Ca1.5GdCe0.5]VIII[ZrFe]VI[Fe x Al3? x ]IVO12

This study was aimed at the synthesis, study of phase relations and characterization of the garnet ([Ca_1.5GdCe_0.5]^VIII[ZrFe]^VI[Fe _x Al_3−x ]^IVO₁₂, x = 0−2) intended as promising matrix for actinides (Pu) immobilization. The optimum temperatures of the fabrication of the garnets ceramics are 1400 °C at x = 2 and 1500 °C at x = 0−1. The garnets lattice parameters and the content of Ce, as an imitator of Pu, increased with the content of iron. It was suggested that the ability of the garnet for incorporation of Pu was closely related to the ionic radii of the elements occupied the four-and six-coordinated sites of the structure.     

Role of mononuclear rare earth metal complexes in promoting the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate (NPP)

Two long-chain multidentate ligands: 2,9-di-(n-2′,5′,8′-triazanonyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (L₁) and 2,9-di-(n-4′,7′,10′-triazaundecyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (L₂) were synthesized. The hydrolytic kinetics of p-nitrophenyl phosphate (NPP) catalyzed by complexes of L₁ and L₂ with La(III) and Gd(III) have been studied in aqueous solution at 298 K, I = 0.10 mol · dm⁻³ KNO₃ at pH 7.5–9.1, respectively. The study shows that the catalytic effect of GdL1 was the best in the four complexes for hydrolysis of NPP. Its k_LnLH−1, k _LnL and pK _a are 0.0127 mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹, 0.000022 mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ and 8.90, respectively. This paper expounds the result from the structure of the ligands and the properties of the metal ions, and deduces the catalysis mechanism.     

Cesium, strontium, europium(III) and plutonium(IV) complexes with humic acid in solution and on montmorillonite surface

The effect of Aldrich humic acid (HA) on the mobility of¹³⁷Cs,⁸⁵Sr,¹⁵²Eu and²³⁹Pu radionuclides was studied in Ca-montmorillonite suspensions. Verified 2-sites-2-species (2s2s) models correspond to an intensive interaction of all elements with humificated surface, what is in a remarkable contrast with the weak complexation of cesium and even strontium in solutions — the neutral ligand interaction constants β (l/mol) are log β<−9.9 and 7.56±0.21 for Cs and Sr, respectively. The result for europium complexation in solution, log β=12.49±0.18 is in a good agreement with literature data. For plutonium(IV) not only a high proton competitive constant in solution was obtained, log β β=(−0.67±0.32)+3pH, but also a strong chemisorption, which at high concentrations of humic acid (above 0.05 g/l) indicates the formation of bridge humate complexes of plutonium on the humificated surface. Logarithms of heterogeneous interaction constants ( ₂₄ l/g) of the elements with surface humic acid are 4.47±0.23, 4.39±0.08, and 6.40±0.33 for Cs, Sr, and Eu(III), respectively, and the logarithm of the proton competitive constant ( ₂₄, l/g) for Pu(IV) −3.80±0.72. Distribution coefficients of humic acid and metal humates between 0.01 g HA/l solution and montmorillonite were derived as logK _d(AH)=−1.04±0.11, logK _d(EuA)=1.56±0.11 and logK _d(PuA)=2.25±0.04, while the values for Cs and Sr were obtained with very high uncertainty. Speciation of the elements on montmorillonite surface is illustrated as a function of equilibrium concentration of humic acid in solution and of pH.     

Migration of239Pu in soluble and insoluble forms in soil

A field experiment study was performed at the rural site of South-East Lithuania. The main tasks of the study included an evaluation of the peculiarities of partition of²³⁹Pu in soluble (²³⁹Pu(NO₃)₄,²³⁹PuCl₃) and insoluble (²³⁹PuO₂) forms in soddy and forest soil horizons. The results of durable experiments (418 and 326 days) have shown that from 44.1% to 92.2% of²³⁹Pu of investigated chemical forms were accumulated in the top (0–5 cm) soil layer. Some share (5.7–39.2%) of plutonium from studied chemical forms was found in the 5–20 cm layers of studied soil samples (columns). Obtained distribution of plutonium in soil layers may be attributed to the consideration that the migration rate to the soil depth for plutonium is 0.1–1.0 cm·y⁻¹ but for some part of plutonium 10 times higher migration rate is characteristic as well. Plutonium transfer factor (TF) to the grassland plants was calculated, the values ranged from 10⁻² to 10⁻¹.     

Mechanistic study of the oxidation of N-phenyldiethanolamine by <Emphasis Type="Italic">bis</Emphasis>(hydrogen periodato)argentate(III) complex anion

The kinetics of oxidation of phenyldiethanolamine (PEA) by a silver(III) complex anion, [Ag(HIO₆)₂]⁵⁻, has been studied in an aqueous alkaline medium by conventional spectrophotometry. The main oxidation product of PEA has been identified as formaldehyde. In the temperature range 20.0–40.0 °C , through analyzing influences of [OH⁻] and [IO ₄ ⁻ ]_tot on the reaction, it is pseudo-first-order in Ag(III) disappearance with a rate expression: k _obsd = (k ₁ + k ₂[OH⁻]) K ₁ K ₂[PEA]/{f([OH⁻])[IO ₄ ⁻ ]_tot + K ₁ + K ₁ K ₂ [PEA]}, where k ₁ = (0.61 ± 0.02) × 10⁻² s⁻¹, k₂ = (0.049 ± 0.002) M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 25.0 °C and ionic strength of 0.30 M. Activation parameters associated with k ₁ and k ₂ have also been derived. A reaction mechanism is proposed involving two pre-equilibria, leading to formation of an Ag(III)-periodato-PEA ternary complex. The ternary complex undergoes a two-electron transfer from the coordination PEA to the metal center via two parallel pathways: one pathway is spontaneous and the other is assisted by a hydroxide ion.     

Kinetics of oxidation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>′-ethylenebis(isonitrosoacetylacetoneimine)copper(II) by peroxydisulfate in aqueous acidic solutions

Peroxydisulfate (PDS) oxidizes N,N′-ethylenebis(isonitrosoacetyleacetoneimine)copper(II) complex, Cu^IIL, to the corresponding copper(III) complex, [Cu^IIIL]⁺. The kinetic runs were performed in the presence of EDTA to scavenge any trace metal impurities. The kinetics of the reaction at constant pH, ionic strength, and temperature obeys the rate law d[Cu^IIIL]/dt = 2k ₂[Cu^IIL][S₂O₈ ²⁻] with k ₂ having a value of (8.85 ± 0.32) × 10⁻² M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at μ = 0.30 M and T = 25.0 °C. The rate constant k ₂ is not affected by variation of pH over the range 3.60–5.20. The second order rate constant is also unaffected by changing ionic strength. The values of k _obs were determined over the temperature 25.0–40.0 °C range. The enthalpy of activation, ∆H*, and entropy of activation, ∆S*, have been calculated as 34.9 ± 0.5 kJ mol⁻¹ and −173.3 ± 11.4 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. The kinetics of this reaction, as far as we know, is the first evidence that copper(III) is the likely reactive species in copper catalyzed PDS oxidation reactions.     

Bioadsorption and ion exchange of Cr3+ and Pb2+ solutions with algae

Heavy metals can be removed from effluents and recovered using physico-chemical mechanisms as biosorption processes. In this work “Arribada” seaweed biomass was employed to assess its biosorptive capacity for the chromium (Cr³⁺) and lead (Pb²⁺) cations that usually are present in waste waters of plating industries. Equilibrium and kinetic experiments were conducted in a mixed reactor on a batch basis. Biosorption equilibrium and fluid-solid mass transfer constants data were analyzed through the concept of ion exchange sorption isotherm. The respective equilibrium exchange constants (K _eqCr=173.42, K _eqPb=58.86) and volumetric mass transfer coefficients ((k _mCr a)′=1.13×10⁻³ s⁻¹, (k _mPb a)′=0.89×10⁻³ s⁻¹) were employed for the dynamic analysis of Cr and Pb sorption in a fixed-bed flow-through sorption column. The breakthrough curves obtained for both metals were compared with the predicted values by the heterogeneous model (K _eqCr=171.29, K _eqPb=60.14; k _mCr a=7.81×10⁻² s⁻¹, k _mPb a=2.43×10⁻² s⁻¹), taking into account the mass transfer process. The results suggest that these algae may be employed in a metal removal/recovery process at low cost. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Mononuclear Rare Earth Metal Complexes based on 1,10-phenanthroline Derivatives as Catalysts for Hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl Phosphate (NPP)

Two multidentate ligands: N,N′-di-(propionic acid-2′-yl-)-2,9-diaminomethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (L1) and N,N′-di-(3′-methylbutyric acid-2′-yl-)-2,9-diaminomethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (L2) were synthesized. The hydrolytic kinetics of p-nitrophenyl phosphate (NPP) catalyzed by complexes of L1 and L2 with La(III), Gd(III) have been studied. Both LnL and LnLH₋₁ have been examined as catalysis for the hydrolysis of NPP in aqueous solution at 298 K, I = 0.10 mol dm⁻³ KNO₃ at the pH range 7.4–9.1, respectively. Kinetic studies show that both LnL and LnLH₋₁ have catalytic activity, but LnLH₋₁ is more active than LnL in the hydrolysis of NPP. The second-order rate constants for the hydrolysis of NPP are k_GdL1H−1 = 0.01399 mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹, k_GdL1 = 0.0000110 mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ for complexes GdL1H₋₁ and GdL1, respectively. A new mechanism was proposed for the hydrolysis of NPP catalyzed by LnL and LnLH₋₁.     

New chromium(III)–picolinamide complexes. Kinetics and mechanism of picolinamide liberation in HClO4 solutions

Two new chromium(III) complexes with picolinamide (pica) and oxalates, [Cr(C₂O₄)₂(N,N′-pica)]²⁻ and [Cr(C₂O₄)₂(N,O-pica)]⁻, were obtained and the kinetics of their aquation in HClO₄ solutions were studied. The aquation leads to pica liberation and proceeds in two stages: (i) the chelate-ring opening at the Cr–amide bond and (ii) the Cr–N-pyridine bond breaking, which gives free pica and cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O₂)₂]⁻. In the case of N,N′-bonded pica the kinetics of both stages was determined and in the case of the N,O-bonded pica only the second stage was investigated. The following rate laws were established: (k _obs)₁ = k ₀ + k ₁ Q ₁[H⁺] and (k _obs)₂ = k ₂ Q ₂[H⁺], where k ₀ and k ₁ are the rate constants of the chelate-ring opening in the unprotonated and protonated starting complex, and k ₂ is the rate constant of the pica liberation from the protonated intermediate. Kinetic parameters are calculated and the aquation mechanism is discussed.     

Conversions of coordinated ligands by reducing thermolysis of some double complex compounds

Thermal decomposition of binary complexes [M(NH₃) _k ] _x [M′L _n ] _y (M = Ni, Co; M′ = Fe, Cr, Cu; L = CN⁻, SCN⁻, C₂O₄²⁻) in a hydrogen atmosphere showed conversion of coordinated CN⁻ groups into ammonia and hydrocarbons; SCN⁻ into ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and hydrocarbons; and C₂O₄²⁻ into hydrocarbons and CO₂. In all cases, methane prevails in the resulting hydrocarbons; ethylene is the second in relative yield, which however strongly depends on the temperature and combination of the central ions of double complex salts. The yield of ethylene is especially high from the reduction of Co-Fe complexes at 350°C, Co₄-Fe₃ complexes at 500°C, Ni₃-Fe₂ and Ni₃-Cr₂ complexes at 350°C. The observed conversions of coordinated groups can be interpreted as arising from the catalytic effect caused by the reduced forms of the central atoms in the binary complexes to the interaction of ligands with hydrogen.     

Kinetics of reduction of hexavalent neptunium by nitrous acid in solutions of nitric acid

Nitrous acid is a key redox controlling factor, affecting the speciation of neptunium in the reprocessing of used nuclear fuel by solvent extraction. The kinetics of the reduction of neptunium(VI) by nitrous acid in solutions of nitric acid was investigated spectrophotometrically by the method of initial rates. The reaction is of first order with respect to Np(VI) while the order with respect to HNO₂ is 1.20 ± 0.04. The reaction rate is almost inversely proportional to the hydrogen ion concentration (reaction order −0.92 ± 0.06), indicating that the reaction proceeds primarily through the reaction of neptunium(VI) with the nitrate anion. The experimental value of the rate constant k for the rate law −d[Np(VI)]/dt = k·[Np(VI)]·[HNO₂]^1.2/[H⁺] is of (0.159 ± 0.014) M^−0.2 s⁻¹ in I = 4 M and at 20 °C. The activation energy is (−57.3 ± 1.6) kJ/mol, which is in agreement with previous data on this reaction in perchloric acid.