Solvent extraction studies with U-Zr system from nitric acid media employing Tri-iso-Amyl Phosphate (TiAP) and Tri-n-Butyl Phosphate (TBP) as extractants

Preliminary solvent extraction studies were carried out with U-Zr system as an alternate method for reprocessing of metallic fuels. The distribution data have been generated for the extraction of uranium and zirconium as function of equilibrium aqueous phase metal ion concentration and equilibrium aqueous phase nitric acid concentration with TBP and TiAP. The present study indicates the formation of third phase with zirconium in the presence of uranium by TBP under process conditions. However, third phase was not encountered with TiAP based solvent system. Data on the extraction of U(VI) and Zr(IV) by TiAP and TBP as a function of equilibrium aqueous-phase nitric acid concentrations at 303K are also presented in this paper. (author)