EXTRACTION OF PLUTONIUM (III) BY TBP IN PRESENCE OF URANIUM

The distribution ratio (D) values for the extraction of plutonium (III) from nitric acid medium into 30% TBP in n-dodecane saturated with uranium(VI) (0% to 80%) were determined. For a fixed saturation of TBP with uranium, the D values for Pu(III) were found to increase with increase in nitric acid concentration (1M to 5M). At a fixed nitric acid concentration, the D values were found to decrease with increase in loading of TBP with uranium. The D values for the extraction of Pu(III) using 20% TBP in n-dodecane and 30% TBP in n-paraffin at 80% uranium saturation were also determined. The distribution data was least squares analysed against concentration of HNO3 as well as percentage saturation of TBP with uranium and the coefficients obtained are reported. For all these extraction systems, D values for U(VI) were also determined.