PARAFFIN WAX AS A DILUENT FOR EXTRACTION OF ACTINIDES AND LANTHANIDES WITH TBP

ABSTRACT Molten paraffin wax has been utilized as a diluent for TBP in the extraction of actinides and lanthanides from HNO3 solution. Strong extraction of UO2 2+ and Pu4+ and practically no extraction of Eu3+ was observed from 3 M HNO3 by 30% TBP/wax at 65° C. The extraction of UO2 2+ increases with increasing wax: aqueous phase ratio as well as increasing HN)3 concentration. Reasonably high amounts of UO2 2+ could be loaded in the wax phase and could be stripped to 98% with dilute HNO3 solution. The phase separation with this technique is very simple since the extraction is carried out at elevated temperatures (65 °C or above) and, with quick cooling, the solid phase separates and the aqueous phase is easily drained off.