Increase in the separation factor between americium and curium and/or between lanthanides in a liquid-liquid extraction operation
US9284620B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 2010 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/50
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method using diglycolamide for increasing the separation factor between americium and curium and/or between lanthanides during an extraction operation. The operation comprising putting an acid aqueous phase, in which are found the americium, curium and/or lanthanides, in contact with an organic phase non-miscible with water, containing at least one extractant in an organic diluent. The aqueous and organic phases are then separated, and the diglycolamide is added to the aqueous phase. This method can be used for processing and recycling irradiated nuclear fuels, in particular for selectively recovering americium from high activity aqueous solutions such as raffinates stemming from the processing of irradiated nuclear fuels with a PUREX or COEX™ method; processing of rare earth ores of the monazite, xenotime or bastnaesite type, in order to facilitate separation of <<lightweight>> rare earths from <<heavy>> rare earths and of yttrium, or that of two rare earths with adjacent or close atomic numbers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.