Partitioning of Actinides from High Level Waste of PUREX Origin Using Octylphenyl-N,N'-diisobutylcarbamoylmethyl Phosphine Oxide (CMPO)-Based Supported Liquid Membrane

• Published in: Separation science and technology 1999-01, Vol.34 (8), p.1717-1728
• Main Authors: Ramanujam, A., Dhami, P. S., Gopalakrishnan, V., Dudwadkar, N. L., Chitnis, R. R., Mathur, J. N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0149-6395; 1520-5754
• DOI: 10.1080/01496399909353767

The present studies deal with the application of the supported liquid membrane (SLM) technique for partitioning of actinides from high level waste of PUREX origin. The process uses a solution of octylphenyl-N,N'-diisobutylcarbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide (CMPO) in n-dodecane as a carrier with a polytetrafluoroethylene support and a mixture of citric acid, formic acid, and hydrazine hydrate as the receiving phase. The studies involve the investigation of such parameters as carrier concentration in SLM, acidity of the feed, and the feed composition. The studies indicated good transport of actinides like neptunium, americium, and plutonium across the membrane from nitric acid medium. A high concentration of uranium in the feed retards the transport of americium, suggesting the need for prior removal of uranium from the waste. The separation of actinides from uranium-lean simulated samples as well as actual high level waste has been found to be feasible using the above technique.