US 8,133,740 B1Granted

Colorimetric detection of uranium in water

AssigneesClemson University Research Foundation, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC

InventorsTimothy A. DeVol, Amy E. Hixon, David P. DiPrete

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Abstract

Disclosed are methods, materials and systems that can be used to determine qualitatively or quantitatively the level of uranium contamination in water samples. Beneficially, disclosed systems are relatively simple and cost-effective. For example, disclosed systems can be utilized by consumers having little or no training in chemical analysis techniques. Methods generally include a concentration step and a complexation step. Uranium concentration can be carried out according to an extraction chromatographic process and complexation can chemically bind uranium with a detectable substance such that the formed substance is visually detectable. Methods can detect uranium contamination down to levels even below the MCL as established by the EPA.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A method for determining the presence or quantity of uranium in an aqueous test sample, the method comprising:

concentrating the uranium in the aqueous test sample, wherein the step of concentrating the uranium is comprised of:
a) binding the uranium to an extractant to form a uranium/extractant complex,
b) separating the uranium from the extractant by use of a separation agent, interaction between the uranium/extractant complex and the separation agent forming a first complex comprising the uranium, the first complex being more favorable chemically than the uranium/extractant complex;
and
c) interacting the first complex with a compound to form a second complex comprising the uranium;
following the step of concentrating the uranium, interacting the second complex with a detectable substance to form a uranium/detectable substance complex, the uranium/detectable substance complex being more favorable chemically than the second complex;
and
detecting the complex of the uranium and the detectable substance to obtain information with regard to the presence or quantity of the uranium in the aqueous test sample.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.