Separation of curium from americium using composite sorbents and complexing agent solutions: part 2

摘要

TODGA-PAN composite sorbent and (PhSO3H)(2)-BTPhen in nitric acid solution were employed as a system for separation of curium from americium. The influence of aqueous phase composition (complexing agent and nitric acid concentrations) on weight distribution coefficients and Cm/Am separation factor was studied in batch experiments with trace amounts of Am-241 and Cm-244. Based on the results obtained, column experiment was designed and conducted. The Cm/Am separation factor of 3.8 +/- 0.1 found in batch experiments with TODGA-PAN could be reproduced also in column experiment resulting in good separation of Cm from Am. The efficiency of Cm separation from Am in the TODGA-PAN system was compared with the analogous system with DGA resin (Triskem International). After separation on a 0.5 mL column (phi 4.7 x 29 mm) the Cm fraction containing 93% of Cm(III) contained only 3% of Am(III) in optimum conditions.