Clean Up of the Purex Process TBP Solvent by Macroreticular Ion Exchange Resin

TLDR: In this paper, the possibility of using macroreticular ion exchange resins A-26 and A-29 for cleaning the used purex process solvent has been investigated, and the distribution co-efficients for Ru-Rh and Zr-Nb have been determined using the solution under three different conditions, i.e., active solution of pu ~ 0.5 as supplied, active solution washed with 1 M Na2C03 accompanied by rise in pu to 5.0; Washed solution equilibrated with IN. HN03 thus bringing down the pa to

Abstract: The possibility of using macroreticular ion-exchange resin A-26 and A-29 for cleaning the used purex process solvent has been investigated. The distribution co-efficients for Ru-Rh and Zr-Nb have been determined using the solution under three different conditions—active solution of pu ~ 0.5 as supplied, active solution washed with 1 M Na2C03 accompanied by rise in pu to — 5.0; Washed solution equilibrated with IN. HN03 thus bringing down the pa to ~0.5. The effects of temperature and particle size of the resins, on the distribution values have been evaluated. There is indication that distribution is preceded at least partly by decomposition of Ru-complex at higher pn and elevated temperature. Use of two different Purex process solutions revealed that distribution ratios are also dependent on the background history of the used solvents.