A calculation model for liquid-liquid extraction of protactinium by 2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanol

Andrew W Knight; Eric S Eitrheim; Andrew W Nelson; Michael K Schultz

doi:10.1515/nuka-2015-0154

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A calculation model for liquid-liquid extraction of protactinium by 2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanol

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A calculation model for liquid-liquid extraction of protactinium by 2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanol

Andrew W Knight, Eric S Eitrheim, Andrew W Nelson and Michael K Schultz

Nukleonika, Vol.60(4), pp.837-845

12/01/2015

DOI: 10.1515/nuka-2015-0154

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Abstract

Reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel usually employs the solvent extraction technique to recover fissile material, isolate other valuable radionuclides, recover precious metals, and remove contaminants. Efficient recovery of these species from highly radioactive solutions requires a detailed understanding of reaction conditions and metal speciation that leads to their isolation in pure forms. Due to the complex nature of these systems, identification of ideal reaction conditions for the efficient extraction of specific metals can be challenging. Thus, the development of experimental approaches that have the potential to reduce the number of experiments required to identify ideal conditions are desirable. In this study, a full-factorial experimental design was used to identify the main effects and variable interactions of three chemical parameters on the extraction of protactinium (Pa). Specifically we investigated the main effects of the anion concentration (NO , Cl ) extractant concentration, and solution acidity on the overall extraction of protactinium by 2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanol (diisobutylcarbinol; DIBC) from both HCl and HNO solutions. Our results indicate that in HCl, the extraction of protactinium was dominated by the solution acidity, while in nitric acid the extraction was strongly effected by the [DIBC]. Based on our results, a mathematical model was derived, that describes the relationship between concentrations of anions, extractant, and solution acidity and the expected values of Pa distribution coefficients in both HCl and HNO . This study demonstrates the potential to predict the distribution coefficient values, based upon a mathematical model generated by a full-factorial experimental design.

design of experiments

protactinium

solvent extraction

Details

Title: Subtitle: A calculation model for liquid-liquid extraction of protactinium by 2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanol
Creators: Andrew W Knight - Department of Chemistry, E373 CB, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
Eric S Eitrheim - Department of Chemistry, E373 CB, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
Andrew W Nelson - Interdisciplinary Human Toxicology Program, E373 CB, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 2246, USA
Michael K Schultz - Department of Chemistry, E373 CB, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA and Interdisciplinary Human Toxicology Program, E373 CB, The University of Iowa, IA 52246, USA and Departments of Radiology and Radiation Oncology (Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program), The University of Iowa, ML B180 FRRB, 500 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA, Tel.: +1 319 335-8017
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Nukleonika, Vol.60(4), pp.837-845
DOI: 10.1515/nuka-2015-0154
ISSN: 0029-5922
eISSN: 0029-5922
Publisher: De Gruyter Open
Number of pages: 9
Language: English
Date published: 12/01/2015
Academic Unit: Radiology; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Radiation Oncology
Record Identifier: 9984216575902771

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