Study of TBP stability limits in pyrolysis, radiolysis and hydrolysis

The present investigations deal with the determination of the stability limits of different degradation phenomena during TBP process achievement, its purification, storage or in radioelements extraction. The results were obtained using a simple and quick analysis method based on TBP:HC104 complex formation. The TBP is considered stable (when its degradation rate is less than 0,5% Vol.) for temperature less than 1000C and time contact value of about 2 hours. It was depicted that TBP has an appreciable stability under the following conditions: NaOH 0,1 N/TBP=0,5 ml/ml and time contact <4 hours; POC13/TBP=0,02 ml/ml and time contact <1 hour; concentrated acid/TBP=0,025 ml/ml and time contact <1 h. Radiation cumulative effect seems to be the main precursor of TBP degradation. However, its stability remains appreciable under certain conditions. Practically, in all the cases, TBP decomposition is mainly tied to C-O bond breakdown