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US 5,966,584 AGranted
Method of separating trivalent actinides from trivalent lanthanides
AssigneeForschungszentrum Julich GmbH
InventorsGiuseppe Modolo, Reinhard Odoj
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Abstract
Trivalent actinides can be separated from trivalent lanthanides in aqueous solutions at H.sup.+ concentrations of 2 mol/l to 0.001 mol/liter by extraction with bis(aryl)dithiophosphinic acid and a synergist such as TBP, TOPO and TBPO in an organic solvent. A high separation efficiency results. The method is applicable to high-level liquid waste from reactors and nuclear-material processing plants.
Claims12
A method of separating at least one trivalent actinide element from at least one trivalent lanthanide element in an aqueous acidic solution containing said elements, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) maintaining a H.sup.+ concentration of said solution in a range of substantially 2 mol/l to 0.001 mol/l;
- and
- (b) extracting said solution at said H.sup.+ concentration of 2 mol/l to 0.001 mol/l with an extractant which consists essentially of:
- (1) a bis(aryl)dithiophosphinic acid;
- and
- (2) at least one extraction synergist of the formula ##STR2## wherein R' is C.sub.1 to C.sub.18 alkyl or alkoxy, to selectively extract said trivalent actinide element from said solution.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.