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Purification of uranium from zirconium-rich crude sodium di-uranate using counter-current solvent extraction

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Abstract

Solvent extraction studies on the purification of uranium from zirconium rich sodium diuranate (SDU) feed was carried out using n-tri butyl phosphate (TBP) as extractant and n-decanol as phase modifier. The presence of Zr in SDU leached solution leads to the formation of third phase during liquid–liquid extraction of uranium which was successfully prevented by addition of n-decanol in 30% (v/v) TBP/n-dodecane mixture. A seven stage counter current extraction of SDU feed solution followed by five stage stripping were carried out using optimum concentration of phase modifier 15% n-decanol-30% TBP in n-dodecane as solvent. Based on the findings a process flow-sheet has been developed for the purification of SDU to nuclear grade ammonium diuranate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Uranium Extraction Division, Materials Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400 085, India

    Aswin Pradeep & Sujoy Biswas

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  1. Aswin Pradeep
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  2. Sujoy Biswas
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Correspondence to Sujoy Biswas.

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Pradeep, A., Biswas, S. Purification of uranium from zirconium-rich crude sodium di-uranate using counter-current solvent extraction. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 313, 93–99 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5291-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5291-1

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