Extraction of uranium and plutonium from oxalate bearing solutions using phosphonic acid: Solvent extraction, extraction chromatography and infrared studies

Abstract

Solvent extraction and extraction chromatography studies of uranium and plutonium from oxalate supernatant solutions were carried out using 2-ethyl hexyl-2-ethyl hexyl phosphonic acid (PC88A). Based on the distribution data, it was inferred that both the uranium and plutonium could be recovered satisfactorily from such a solution. These studies were found to be useful in optimising the appropriate concentration of PC88A, HNO3, oxalic acid and temperature to recover more than 90% of plutonium from the large volumes of oxalate bearing waste solutions. Spectral characteristics of the extractant and its complexing behavior with U(VI) was also studied using IR & FTIR.

Adsorption of Uranium(VI) from Aqueous Solution by Modified Rice Stem

“…e band at 2912 cm −1 is formed as a result of C-H asymmetric stretching vibration of methyl and methylene groups in cellulose [4], whereas that at 2312 cm −1 is produced due to overtone or combination band of amino acids. e peak located at 1635 cm −1 indicates the stretching vibration of carbonyl groups from carboxylates and ketones [5]. e peak at 1433 cm −1 is due to C-H bending vibration in lignin [39], while that at about 1026 cm −1 is attributed to C-O-C and asymmetric stretching vibrations of phosphate and silicate groups [39].…”

“…Many methods, such as chemical precipitationcrystallizing, ion exchange, solvent extraction, and film separation [4][5][6][7][8][9], have so far been developed to deal with the uranium-containing wastewater. However, these methods are not effective and economical, especially when treating large amounts of wastewater containing the low contents of the radioactive ionic material [10].…”

“…Biosorption has been considered to be a useful method as it utilizes various natural materials of biological origin, including bacteria, fungi yeast and algae, to remove metal ions from solutions [11][12][13][14]. Compared with the traditional methods, the biosorption has the following advantages: (1) the fast sorption kinetic and high selectivity for removing low concentrations of heavy metals (e.g., uranium); (2) low energy consumption; (3) abundant sources of biosorbents; (4) simple operation; (5) wide operation ranges of pH and temperature; and (6) good reproduction of adsorbents. e treatment of heavy metals through biosorption has been extensively studied in the past decades.…”