Process to remove actinides from soil using magnetic separation

US5538701A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Larry R. Avens · Los Alamos, US
• Dallas D. Hill · Los Alamos, US
• F. Coyne Prenger · Los Alamos, US
• Walter F. Stewart · Oakland, US
• Thomas L. Tolt · Centennial, US
• Laura A. Worl · Los Alamos, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 28, 1994
• Grant date: Jul 23, 1996
• Expiry date: Feb 28, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C01G56/004
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process of separating actinide-containing components from an admixture including forming a slurry including actinide-containing components within an admixture, said slurry including a dispersion-promoting surfactant, adjusting the pH of the slurry to within a desired range, and, passing said slurry through a pretreated matrix material, said matrix material adapted to generate high magnetic field gradients upon the application of a strong magnetic field exceeding about 0.1 Tesla whereupon a portion of said actinide-containing components are separated from said slurry and remain adhered upon said matrix material is provided.