US4595529A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solvent wash solution
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
•
Filing: 1984-03-13
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Granted: 1986-06-17
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Expires: 2004-03-13
Abstract
Abstract Process for removing diluent degradation products from a solvent extraction solution, which has been used to recover uranium and plutonium from spent nuclear fuel. A wash solution and the solvent extraction solution are combined. The wash solution contains (a) water and (b) up to about, and including, 50 volume percent of at least one-polar water-miscible organic solvent based on the total volume of the water and the highly-polar organic solvent. The wash solution also preferably contains at least one inorganic salt. The diluent degradation products dissolve in the highly-polar organic solvent and the organic solvent extraction solvent do not dissolve in the highly-polar organic solvent. The highly-polar organic solvent and the extraction solvent are separated.
Inventors
- 👤 James C. Neace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:39
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; G21F9/04; G21F9/06; G21F9/12; G21F9/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
Process for removing diluent degradation products from a solvent extraction solution comprising an admixture of an organic extractant for uranium and plutonium and a non-polar organic liquid diluent, which has been used to recover uranium and plutonium from spent nuclear fuel, comprising: combining a wash solution comprising: (a) water; and (b) a positive amount up to about, and including, 50 volume percent of at least one highly-polar water-miscible organic solvent, based on the total volume of said water and said highly-polar organic solvent, with said solvent extraction solution after uranium and plutonium values have been stripped from the solvent extraction solution, said diluent degradation products dissolving in said highly-polar organic solvent and said extractant and diluent of said extraction solution not dissolving in said highly-polar organic solvent, and separating said highly-polar organic solvent and said extraction solution to obtain a purified extraction solution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
Process for removing diluent degradation products from a solvent extraction solution comprising an admixture of an organic extractant for uranium and plutonium and a non-polar organic liquid diluent, which has been used to recover uranium and plutonium from spent nuclear fuel, comprising: combining a wash solution comprising: (a) water; and (b) a positive amount up to about, and including, 50 volume percent of at least one highly-polar water-miscible organic solvent, based on the total volume of said water and said highly-polar organic solvent, with said solvent extraction solution after uranium and plutonium values have been stripped from the solvent extraction solution, said diluent degradation products dissolving in said highly-polar organic solvent and said extractant and diluent of said extraction solution not dissolving in said highly-polar organic solvent, and separating said highly-polar organic solvent and said extraction solution to obtain a purified extraction solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said highly-polar organic solvent is ethanol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said highly-polar organic solvent is methanol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Process as claimed in claim 3 wherein said highly-polar organic solvent is separated from said extraction solution by decanting off said highly-polar organic solvent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Process as claimed in claim 3 wherein said combining step is conducted at a temperature above room temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Process as claimed in claim 3 wherein said combining step is conducted at a temperature between 55° and 65° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Process as claimed in claim 3 wherein said wash solution and said solvent extraction solution are combined in a miniature pulse column.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
Process as claimed in claim 7 wherein said combination is done continuously and in counterflow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
Process as claimed in claim 3 wherein a positive amount up to about 40 volume percent of said methanol, based on the total volume of said water and said methanol, is present in said wash solution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Process as claimed in claim 3 wherein said solvent extraction solution is a solution of tributyl phosphate, in a paraffin hydrogen diluent, said solution initially containing diluent degradation products.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
Process as claimed in claim 3 wherein said wash solution also contains at least one inorganic salt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Process as claimed in claim 11 wherein said inorganic salt is Na 2 CO 3 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Process as claimed in claim 11 wherein up to about 0.5M of said inorganic salt, based on said water, is present.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
Process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the purified solvent extraction solution is returned to be reused in circulation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-06-16 | 1989-12-16 | 1990-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-16 | 1993-12-16 | 1994-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-16 | 1997-12-16 | 1998-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |