Charcoal adsorption studies for separation of entrained DNPPA from phosphoric acid in uranium recovery process

Recovery of uranium from phosphoric acid is achieved by a two cycle solvent extraction process where organophosphorus extractants such as D2EHPA, di-nonyl phenyl phosphoric acid (DNPPA), TBP and TOPO are used. DNPPA+TOPO synergistic extractant mixture is employed for U recovery from MGA. These extractants exhibits different solubility in various aqueous solutions during the solvent extraction process. It is essential to recover the solvents firstly, to improve the process economy and secondly to prevent environmental pollution. Earlier work carried out by the diluent wash method for entrained solvent recovery has been reported. It was observed that diluent wash is feasible only in the acidic aqueous solutions. Investigations were out to study entrained solvent recovery from both alkaline as well as acidic aqueous solutions using activated charcoal adsorption method