System and method for producing acid deficient uranyl nitrate solution with an anion exchange membrane

A method of producing acid-deficient uranyl nitrate using an ion exchange membrane vessel having a first chamber, a second chamber, and an ion exchange membrane therebetween;

• wherein the ion exchange membrane allows diffusion of NO3 anions therethrough, but does not allow diffusion of UO2 cations therethrough;
• wherein the method comprises:
• feeding a concentrated solution of uranyl nitrate to the first chamber of the ion exchange membrane vessel, wherein the concentrated solution includes NO3 anions and UO2 cations in a ratio of at least 1.85:1;
• feeding an aqueous feed solution with a low concentration of NO3 anions to the second chamber of the ion exchange membrane vessel;
• allowing NO3 anions to diffuse through the ion exchange membrane from the first chamber of the ion exchange membrane vessel to the second chamber;
• withdrawing a retentate solution of uranyl nitrate from the first chamber of the ion exchange membrane vessel, wherein the retentate solution includes NO3 anions and UO2 cations in a ratio of 1:1 to 1.8:1;
• withdrawing a permeate solution from the second chamber of the ion exchange membrane vessel, wherein the permeate solution includes an increased concentration of NO3 anions, relative to the aqueous feed solution;
• and
• feeding the retentate solution of uranyl nitrate to a vacuum distillation system to produce a concentrated solution of acid-deficient uranyl nitrate.