EXTRACTION OF NEPTUNIUM AND PLUTONIUM NITRATES WITH n-OCTYL(PHENYL)-N,N-DIISOBUTYL-CARBAMOYLMETHYLPHOSPHINE OXIDE∗

Abstract

ABSTRACT Distribution equilibria of Np and Pu in various valence states and stripping of Np(V) were studied in a system involving 0.20 M n-octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide + 1.2 M tributyl phosphate in dodecane as a solvent. Np(V) is weakly extractable at <2 M nitric acid but more effectively extractable at >3 M nitric acid, due to the disproportionation of Np(V) to Np(IV) and Np(VI). Addition of nitrous acid to solutions containing Np(V) increases the over-all extractabllity of Np, due to its partial oxidation to Np(VI). This is also the case In the presence of oxalic acid, both at room temperature and at 40°C. Both Np(IV) and Np(VI) are highly extractable, but the reduction of Np(V,VI) to Np(IV) is slow even with a reductant as strong as sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate. Pu(IV) is highly extractable and its reduction to Pu(III) with sulfoxylate Is incomplete in the two-phase system if the aqueous phase contains >0.5 M nitric acid. Extracted Np(VI) can be stripped by reduction to Np(V). The stripping rate is, however, slow with nitrous acid as the reductant at low nitric acid concentration. The reduction of Np(VI) by hydrogen peroxide is fast, but is followed by further reduction to Np(IV). Sulfurous acid reduces Np(VI) rapidly and, if no iron is present, only to Np(V), but Fe(II) induces further reduction to Np(IV). Notes ∗ Work performed under the auspices of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, U. S. Department of Energy, under contract number W-31-109-ENG-38 Additional informationNotes on contributorsZdenek J. Kolarik On leave from Nuclear Research Centre, Karlsruhe, Federal Republic of Germany.