Degradation, Cleanup, and Reusability of Octylphenyl- N, N′-diisobutylcarbamoylmethyl Phosphine Oxide (CMPO) during Partitioning of Minor Actinides from High Level Waste (HLW) Solutions

Abstract

ABSTRACT The radiolytic degradation of the extractant mixture 0.2 M octylphenyl-N,N′-diiso-butylcaibamoylmethyl phosphine oxide (CMPO) + 1.2 M tributyl phosphate in n- dodecane [to be utilized for the partitioning of minor actinides from high level waste (HLW) solutions of PUREX origin] has been investigated in contact with 3 M HNO3 or synthetic pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWR)-HLW solution under dynamic conditions. The distribution ratios of Am, Zr, Fe, and Ru with the irradiated extractant mixture at varying doses have been determined under various aqueous phase conditions and correlated with the formation of degradation products. Various cycles ofloading the extractant mixture with Am from PHWR-HLW, irradiating at a fixed gamma dose, and then primary and secondary clean-up of the solvent has been carried out to illustrate its reusability during partitioning of minor actinides from actual HLW solutions. The degradation products of CMPO have been identified by employing GC and GC-MS techniques.