Study of factors affecting the extraction of uranium and iron in the second cycle of extraction with DEHPA/TOPO in kerosene

The co-extraction of uranium and iron with DEHPA/TOPO in kerosene from loaded phosphoric acid in the second extraction cycle, is influenced by some determinant parameters essentially uranium, iron, DEHPA concentration, P2O5%, and organic phase to acid phase ratio. From a general regression equation, two mathematical models, based on experimental data, have been generated representing the effect of the above-mentioned five factors on the selectivity and yield. Systematic study has been done, to determine the effect of each factor on the selectivity and yield, and the interaction between factors. Analysis and interpretation of the results enabled us to determine the order of importance of each factor, and fix the best experimental operating conditions of the second extraction cycle to obtain a least contaminated loaded solvent and promote the quality of the yellow cake. (author)