US4612097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for separation of zirconium isotopes
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1984-09-17
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Granted: 1986-09-16
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Expires: 2004-09-17
Abstract
Abstract The zirconium 91 isotopic content of zirconium is reduced by forming a solution of a zirconium compound and a scavenger of 8-hydroxyquinoline or its derivatives, and irradiating the solution with light at a wavelength which excites the compound so that it reacts with the scavenger. Because the molecules containing the zirconium 91 isotope remain excited longer, they react disproportionately with the scavenger. The reaction product, which precipitates from the solution, is therefore enriched in the zirconium 91 isotope. Micelle-forming agents can be added to the solution to enhance the isotopic enrichment.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Jackovitz
- 👤 Steven H. Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:51
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01G; C01G25/00; C01G25/003; B; B01; B01D; B01D59/00; B01D59/34; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/08; B01J19/12; B01J19/121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A process for reducing the zirconium 91 isotopic content of zirconium comprising: (A) forming a solution which comprises: (1) a solvent; (2) a scavenger selected from the group consisting of 8-hydroxyquinoline, derivatives of 8-hydroxyquinoline, and mixtures thereof; (3) a compound containing zirconium which is soluble in said solution and which reacts with said scavenger when exposed to light having a wavelength of about 220 to about 600 nm; (B) irradiating said solution with light having a wavelength of about 220 to about 600 nm for a time selected to photoreact a disproportionate amount of said compound containing said zirconium 91 isotope with said scavenger; and (C) separating the product of said reaction from said solution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A process for reducing the zirconium 91 isotopic content of zirconium comprising: (A) forming a solution which comprises: (1) a solvent; (2) a scavenger selected from the group consisting of 8-hydroxyquinoline, derivatives of 8-hydroxyquinoline, and mixtures thereof; (3) a compound containing zirconium which is soluble in said solution and which reacts with said scavenger when exposed to light having a wavelength of about 220 to about 600 nm; (B) irradiating said solution with light having a wavelength of about 220 to about 600 nm for a time selected to photoreact a disproportionate amount of said compound containing said zirconium 91 isotope with said scavenger; and (C) separating the product of said reaction from said solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said compound of zirconium is a chelate formed from a beta diketone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein said beta diketone has the general formula: ##STR3## wherein R 1 and R 2 are each independently selected from alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process containing to claim 3 wherein R 1 and R 2 are methyl groups.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said scavenger is 8-hydroxyquinoline.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, xylene, cyclohexanol, normal alkanes having 5 to 8 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said solution includes a micelle-forming agent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 7 wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of water and aqueous methanol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said irradiating is effected at ambient temperatures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said compound of zirconium is zirconium tetraacetylacetonate and said scavenger is 8-hydroxyquinoline.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said separation is by precipitation and filtration of said product of reaction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
A process for reducing the zirconium 91 isotopic content of zirconium comprising: (A) forming a solution which comprises: (1) 80 to 99% of a solvent; (2) a beta diketone which has the general formula ##STR4## wherein R 1 and R 2 are each independently selected from alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; (3) a scavenger selected from the group consisting of 8-hydroxyquinoline, derivatives of 8-hydroxyquinoline, and mixtures thereof; (B) irradiating said solution with light having a wavelength of about 220 to about 600 nm for about 5 to about 30 minutes; and (C) separating the product of said reaction from said solution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
A process for reducing the zirconium 91 isotopic content of zirconium comprising: (A) forming a solution which comprises: (1) 80 to 99% of a solvent; (2) a beta diketone which has the general formula ##STR4## wherein R 1 and R 2 are each independently selected from alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; (3) a scavenger selected from the group consisting of 8-hydroxyquinoline, derivatives of 8-hydroxyquinoline, and mixtures thereof; (B) irradiating said solution with light having a wavelength of about 220 to about 600 nm for about 5 to about 30 minutes; and (C) separating the product of said reaction from said solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 13 wherein R 1 and R 2 are methyl groups.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 12 wherein said scavenger is 8-hydroxyquinoline.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 12 wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, xylene, cyclohexanol, and normal alkanes having 5-8 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 15 wherein said solution includes a micelle-forming agent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 16 wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of water and aqueous methanol.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR2491771A1
Cited
US4389292A
Cited
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