title: Dissolution of synthetic uranium dibutyl phosphate deposits in oxidizing and reducing chemical formulations.
abstract: Permanganate and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) based dilute chemical formulations were evaluated for the dissolution of uranium dibutyl phosphate (U-DBP), a compound that deposits over the surfaces of nuclear reprocessing plants and waste storage tanks. A combination of an acidic, oxidizing treatment (nitric acid with permanganate) followed by reducing treatment (NTA based formulation) efficiently dissolved the U-DBP deposits. The dissolution isotherm of U-DBP in its as precipitated form followed a logarithmic fit. The same chemical treatment was also effective in dissolving U-DBP coated on the surface of 304-stainless steel, while resulting in minimal corrosion of the stainless steel substrate material. Investigation of uranium recovery from the resulting decontamination solutions by ion exchange with a bed of mixed anion and cation resins showed quantitative removal of uranium.
authors.affiliation: Water and Steam Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Facilities, Kalpakkam 603102, TN, India.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Rufus
authors.affiliation: Water and Steam Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Facilities, Kalpakkam 603102, TN, India.
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Sathyaseelan
authors.affiliation: Water and Steam Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Facilities, Kalpakkam 603102, TN, India.
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Narasimhan
authors.affiliation: Water and Steam Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Facilities, Kalpakkam 603102, TN, India. Electronic address: svelu@igcar.gov.in.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Velmurugan
mesh_terms: D000837:Anion Exchange Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D002411:Cation Exchange Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D009571:Nitrilotriacetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011196:Potassium Permanganate / Q000737:chemistry; D059027:Recycling; D012995:Solubility; D013193:Stainless Steel; D014501:Uranium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000837:Anion Exchange Resins; D002411:Cation Exchange Resins; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011196:Potassium Permanganate; D013193:Stainless Steel; D014501:Uranium; D009571:Nitrilotriacetic Acid