Partitioning of U(VI) and Eu(III) between Acidic Aqueous Al(NO 3 ) 3 and Tributyl Phosphate in n‐Dodecane

Authors: Harrington, R.; Martin, L.; Nash, K.

Source: Separation Science and Technology, Volume 41, Number 10, 2006 , pp. 2283-2298(16)

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Abstract:

The preferred approach to removing Al from Hanford tank sludges, based on aqueous alkaline leaching, often does not achieve complete success. Previous laboratory investigations on the treatment of Hanford tank sludge simulant samples indicate that an acidic scrub can enhance the dissolution of Al from various sludge matrices. If acidic leaching was deployed to enhance removal of tank waste residues, the resulting acidic Al(NO 3 ) 3 leachate solution could contain measurable amounts of solubilized transuranic elements and so would demand treatment prior to disposal. In this study, a liquid‐liquid extraction system for the decontamination of the HNO 3 /Al(NO 3 ) 3 aqueous leachate by contact with 60% v/v tributyl phosphate (TBP)/ n‐ dodecane organic solution has been examined. The partitioning of U and Eu between the TBP phase and solutions of varying [HNO 3 ] and [Al(NO 3 ) 3 ] containing small amounts of Cr or ascorbic acid have been investigated. . The results indicate that >99% of both species could be removed from the aqueous phase using such a process.

Keywords: Al(NO 3 ) 3; solvent extraction; tributyl phosphate; tank waste cleanup

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01496390600750909

Affiliations: 1: Chemistry Department, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA

Publication date: 2006-01-01