Determination of U(IV) concentration by ferric sulphate titration

The uranous nitrate solution is employed as a reducing agent for Pu(IV) in PUREX process for the mutual separation of uranium and plutonium from the loaded organic phase. This reagent is also used for recovery of plutonium from degraded solvent, removal of plutonium from surface of the process equipment and tanks etc. The uranous nitrate of concentration of 5-100g/L is usually employed for the recovery of plutonium in reprocessing plant. As uranium in +4 oxidation state undergoes aerial oxidation and also by the nitrite ion present in nitric acid, it is important to determine the concentration of U(IV) before treatment. In general, concentration of uranous ion in feed sample is determined by redox titration method using potassium dichromate as the titrant and ferroin as indicator. The concentration of uranous in the test samples were also analyzed by redox titration and spectrophotometric methods. The concentration value obtained by the present procedure is in good agreement with the value determined by the conventional method