Transport of uranium (VI) across Tributylphosphate supported liquid membrane under electrolytic reduction conditions

Transport of uranium (VI) through tri n-butyl phosphate (TBP) supported liquid membrane (SLM)2+ under electrolytic reduction conditions was investigated. The reduction of UO2 to U(IV) was carried out in a cell fitted with an anion exchange membrane in the cathode chamber. In this concern, different parameters affecting the reduction reaction were studied. These parameters include; HCI concentration, current density and density and uranium concentration. The experimental results confirmed that the reduction time decreases from 2 to 1 h when the concentration of uranium increases from 3 to 20 g/I in 2M HCI and 124 mA/cm2. The transport of U(VI) using supported liquid membrane impregnated with 30% TBP-Kerosene from 3M HNO3 feed solution to 3M HCI or 3M HNO3 solution was successively achieved under electrolytic reduction conditions. This process was carried out in 3 cell compartments fitted with SLM-and anion exchange membranes. The complete transport was carried out in 5 h at 30% TBP and 3M HCI or HNO3 solutions