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Mathematical modeling of solvent extraction of uranium from sulphate media employing 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid-mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC88A) and its mixture with trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as extractants

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Abstract

The extraction of U(VI) from sulphate medium with 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid-mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC88A, H2A2 in dimeric form) in n-dodecane has been investigated under varying concentrations of sulphuric acid and uranium. Slope analysis of uranium (VI) distribution data as a function of PC88A concentration suggests the formation of monomeric species, viz. UO2(HA2)2. This observation was further supported by the mathematical expression obtained during non-linear least square regression analysis of U(VI) distribution data correlating the percentage extraction (%E) and the acidity (H i). A mathematical model correlating the experimental distribution ratio values of U(VI) (D U) with initial acidity (H i) and initial uranium concentrations (C i) was developed: \( D_{\text{U}} = 12.98( \pm 0.90)/\left\{ {C_{\text{i}}^{ - 0.75( \pm 0.05)} \times \left[ {H_{\text{i}} } \right]^{2} } \right\} \). This expression can be used to predict the concentration of uranium in organic as well as in aqueous phase at any C i and H i. The extraction data were used to calculate the conditional extraction constant (K ex) values at different acidities (2–7 M H+), uranium (0.02–0.1 M) and PC88A (0.2–0.6 M) concentrations. These studies were also extended for the extraction of U(VI) using synergistic mixtures of PC88A and TOPO from sulphate medium.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    S. Biswas & S. B. Roy

  2. Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085, India

    P. N. Pathak & V. K. Manchanda

  3. Rare Earths Development Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085, India

    D. K. Singh

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  1. S. Biswas
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  2. P. N. Pathak
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  3. D. K. Singh
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Correspondence to P. N. Pathak.

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Biswas, S., Pathak, P.N., Singh, D.K. et al. Mathematical modeling of solvent extraction of uranium from sulphate media employing 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid-mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC88A) and its mixture with trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as extractants. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 289, 557–564 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-011-1116-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-011-1116-9

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