TY - JOUR

T1 - Physicochemical properties of extraction solvents for the advanced recycling of spent nuclear fuel

AU - Blundell, Richard J.

AU - Ogden, Mark

PY - 2024/9/1

Y1 - 2024/9/1

N2 - A comprehensive understanding of solvent physicochemical properties is essential to developing advanced solvent extraction processes, such as Advanced PUREX (Plutonium Uranium Reduction Extraction) and GANEX (Group Actinide Extraction), that can safely and efficiently recycle spent nuclear fuel. The densities, viscosities and surface tensions of binary mixtures of tributyl phosphate (TBP) (0.92–3.66 M) in n-dodecane and N,N-di (2-ethyl hexyl)isobutyramide (DEHiBA) (0.69–2.78 M) in n-dodecane were measured at atmospheric pressure from 278.15 to 333.15 K. Through these measurements, empirical expressions to predict the density and viscosity at any molar composition of these solvents within the studied temperature range were constructed and shown to be in good correlation with all experimental data across the studied variables. The relationship between temperature and viscosity of pure TBP and DEHiBA can be described by the Arrhenius equation for viscosity in the temperature range studied. Surface tension measurements (air-liquid interface) were obtained for varying extractant concentrations between 278.15 and 333.15 K, which showed that DEHiBA acts as a surfactant when mixed with n-dodecane whilst TBP exhibits a higher surface tension than n-dodecane.

AB - A comprehensive understanding of solvent physicochemical properties is essential to developing advanced solvent extraction processes, such as Advanced PUREX (Plutonium Uranium Reduction Extraction) and GANEX (Group Actinide Extraction), that can safely and efficiently recycle spent nuclear fuel. The densities, viscosities and surface tensions of binary mixtures of tributyl phosphate (TBP) (0.92–3.66 M) in n-dodecane and N,N-di (2-ethyl hexyl)isobutyramide (DEHiBA) (0.69–2.78 M) in n-dodecane were measured at atmospheric pressure from 278.15 to 333.15 K. Through these measurements, empirical expressions to predict the density and viscosity at any molar composition of these solvents within the studied temperature range were constructed and shown to be in good correlation with all experimental data across the studied variables. The relationship between temperature and viscosity of pure TBP and DEHiBA can be described by the Arrhenius equation for viscosity in the temperature range studied. Surface tension measurements (air-liquid interface) were obtained for varying extractant concentrations between 278.15 and 333.15 K, which showed that DEHiBA acts as a surfactant when mixed with n-dodecane whilst TBP exhibits a higher surface tension than n-dodecane.

U2 - 10.1016/j.pnucene.2024.105284

DO - 10.1016/j.pnucene.2024.105284

M3 - Article

VL - 174

JO - Progress in Nuclear Energy

JF - Progress in Nuclear Energy

SN - 0149-1970

M1 - 105284

ER -