Americium extraction from alkaline solutions by technical mixture of mono- and didecylpyrocatechins

Americium and europium extraction in the NaOH-DTPA kinetic system has been investigated using the technical mixture of mono- and didecylpyrocatechins (TAP). Effect of different factors on a rate of americium extraction with TAP solution in cyclohexane has been ascertained, and optimum conditions of Am and Eu extraction and separation have been found out. It has been shown that americium extraction rate increases with increased concentrations of alkali and extractant and also with decreased concentrations of complexing ligand and metal. A phenomenon of suppression of indicator Am amounts by Eu macroamounts has been revealed, when studying mutual effect of these elements, and a drop of Am distribution coefficients increases with a growth of extractant concentration and time of phase mixing. Taking into account TAP positive qualitiese a conclusion has been drawn that technical extractant may substitute for almost inaccessible individual alkylpyrocatechins