Extraction of plutonium ions from aqueous sulfuric acid solutions with D.sub.2 EHPA or D.sub.2 EHPA/TOPO

Abstract

Method for separating plutonium ions from an aqueous solution containing sulfuric acid. The method comprises introducing into the aqueous solution 0.1 to 1.5 moles of nitrate ions per liter of aqueous solution. To the aqueous solution containing nitrate ions, there is added an organic phase comprising a solution of 0.1 to 1.0 M di-2-ethylhexylphosphoric acid in kerosene in a volume ratio of the aqueous solution containing nitrate ions to the organic phase of between 1:1 and 4:1 to extract the plutonium ions into the organic phase. The organic phase containing plutonium ions is then separated from the aqueous solution. A re-extractant aqueous solution containing 0.2 to 1.0 M oxalic acid, and 0 to 0.5 M nitric acid is then added to the separated organic phase to re-extract the plutonium ions into the re-extractant aqueous solution. The re-extractant aqueous solution containing plutonium ions is then separated from the organic phase.

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