Cloud point extractive spectrophotometric method for determination of uranium in raffinate streams during spent nuclear fuel reprocessing

Abstract

A cloud point extractive spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of uranium in raffinate streams. Uranium was extracted to a tri n-octyl phosphine oxide in o-Xylene from raffinate. Uranium present in organic phase was analyzed by spectrophotometry after cloud point extraction of U-PAR (4-(2-Pyridylazo) resorcinol) complex to cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide—Triton-X-100 medium. The molar absorption coefficient for uranium complex was found to be 2.2 × 104 l mol−1 cm−1. The relative standard deviation for the determination of uranium was found to be 3.9% and with a minimum detection limit of 2 µg uranium per aliquot.