Evaluation of extraction chromatography for americium recovery

Abstract

Extraction, or reverse-phase partition chromatography, as used mostly for analytical separations, employs an organic solvent extractant as a stationary phase on an inert support material. This technique, which has the advantage of utilizing the versatility of solvent extraction systems with the less expensive operation of ion exchange equipment, was evaluated for a process to recover low level concentrations of americium from acidic process waste streams at Rocky Flats. The bidentate organophosphorous extractant DHDECMP (dihexyl-N, N-diethylcarbamylmethylene phosphonate) was used as the stationary phase since it was shown to effectively scavenge americium from acidic waste streams without significantly extracting impurity ions. Over 30 support materials were evaluated for DHDECMP capacity and for their ability to retain the extractant. Of the supports tested, the Amberlite XAD macroreticular sorbents were found to have the highest DHDECMP capacity. Amberlite XAD-4 beads retained the extractant significantly better than the other supports evaluated. Thus, this solvent was tested for americium breakthrough capacity and compared to the theoretical capacity.