Extraction of 144Ce and 103,106Ru from HLW solutions using PC 88A/dodecane by in-situ electro-oxidation

The prime requisite under modern strategy of nuclear waste management is separation of minor actinides from other fission product impurities. The separation of tri-valent actinides and lanthanides as well as ruthenium is difficult to achieve. In present investigation, in-situ electro-oxidation process was used to facilitate extraction of cerium and ruthenium from aqueous nitrate solutions in the organic phase containing PC88A/ dodecane. The extraction efficiency of metal ions was investigated with the change in applied potential and concentration of nitric acid in the aqueous phase. The extraction of Ru is very less when actual HLW solution was taken in the aqueous phase. By this technique more than 90% 144Ce was recovered from HLW solution. (author)