Short Alternative Route for Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Based on Organic Phase Self-Splitting.

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Sustainable management of nuclear materials is crucial for the nuclear industry.
• Preventing diversion of nuclear materials from civilian use requires robust processes.
• Existing separation processes can be improved with shorter, more efficient alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel liquid/liquid extraction process for separating actinides.
• To investigate the use of tributylphosphate (TBP) in an alternative separation system.
• To establish proof of concept for a sustainable nuclear material management strategy.

Main Methods:

• Utilized liquid/liquid extraction with a tributylphosphate (TBP)/n-dodecane organic phase.
• Separated uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) using controlled process conditions.
• Investigated temperature variation as a key parameter for spontaneous phase separation.
• Studied the addition of concentrated nitric acid as an alternative separation control.

Main Results:

• Achieved effective separation of thorium and uranium into distinct fractions.
• Demonstrated successful recovery of final metals from the separated phases.
• Validated the recycling of the tributylphosphate (TBP) solvent.
• Identified temperature drop as the most effective method for phase separation.

Conclusions:

• The developed TBP-based liquid/liquid extraction offers a viable, sustainable alternative for nuclear material management.
• The process allows for controlled separation and recovery of actinides, minimizing diversion risks.
• Further process development is warranted based on the successful proof of concept and demonstrated metal recovery and solvent recycling.