Published August 1992 | Version v1
Journal article

Destruction of emulsions stabilized by precipitates of zirconium and tributyl phosphate degradation products

  • 1. Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd., Tokai Research Center, 2600, Ishigamitojuku, Tokai-mura, Ibaraki-ken 319-11 (Japan)
  • 2. Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd., Ichikawa, Chiba (Japan). Central Research Lab.

Description

In solvent extraction for nuclear fuel reprocessing, a stable emulsion called crud is formed at the interface between the organic and aqueous phases. Crud is an emulsion stabilized by finely dispersed solids. Process disturbances are often induced by crud. Accordingly, crud should be eliminated from the interface in the extractors. The eliminated crud is stable and highly radioactive; thus, the treatment of this crud may be difficult. Complexes of zirconium and tributyl phosphate (TBP) degradation products, such as phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and mono-n-butyl phosphate (H2MBP), are one source of the fine particles that stabilize emulsions in the extraction process. In this paper a chemical treatment method to demulsify crud stabilized by precipitates of Zr-H3PO4 and Zr-H2MBP is studied

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Nuclear Technology
Journal Volume
99
Journal Issue
2
Journal Page Range
p. 235-241.
ISSN
0029-5450
CODEN
NUTYBB