Separation Science and Technology, Vol.46, No.1, 79-86, 2011
Role of Acetohydroxamic Acid in Selective Extraction of Technetium and Uranium Employing N,N-Dihexyloctanamide as Extractant
Straight chain N,N-dihexyloctanamide (DHOA) has been identified as a promising alternate extractant to tributyl phosphate (TBP) for the reprocessing of uranium based spent fuels. The present work compares extraction behavior of technetium using DHOA and TBP solutions in n-dodecane, under varying experimental conditions such as acidity (0.5-6M HNO3); extractant concentration (1.1 and 1.5M), and uranium loading (50g/L, relevant for Pu rich spent fuel feed solutions). The effect of acetohydroxamic acid concentration on U, Pu, Np, and Tc extraction behavior has also been investigated. Pu(IV)-AHA interaction and its influence on extraction using TBP and DHOA extractants has been studied spectrophotometrically. The experimental data suggest that 1.1M DHOA is better than 1.1M TBP with respect to co-extraction of Tc and U, and U decontamination with respect to Np/Pu.