Tri-N-Butylphosfate removal from aqueous solutions resulting from extraction process of elements of nuclear interest

This paper presents the experiments performed with some solid adsorbents for total or partial removal of small amounts of tri-n-butylphosfate (TBP) from aqueous solutions. TBP is the most used extraction agent in separation and purification processes of elements of nuclear interest from natural sources and irradiated nuclear fuels as well as other elements and chemical species from aqueous solutions. As even traces of TBP have negative effects on the quality of nuclear products its removal is required. The retaining capacity of adsorbents, having hydrophobic or hydrophobic induced structure, and macroporous polystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer matrices as well as the TBP traces in the effluents were determined. (authors)