Separation of Pertechnetate from Uranium in a Simulated UREX Processing Solution Using Anion Exchange Extraction Chromatography

Abstract

A process to separate technetium from uranium in a simulated process solution resulting from the uranium extraction (UREX) process was demonstrated using a new extraction chromatographic (EC) resin from Eichrom Technologies. The Weak Base ECTM resin contains a tertiary amine incorporated into a macroporous resin bead support. The resin provided a good separation of pertechnetate from a 100 g/L uranyl(VI) nitrate solution representative of a UREX feed solution. The resin appeared quite stable to multiple uses. The elution of Tc from the resin was substantially improved over previous anion exchangers used. The eluted pertechnetate and ammonium nitrate solution was mixed with a reducing agent and gradually heated under an argon flow and then an argon/H2O flow to recover the Tc as the metal (96% yield). The U was precipitated with ammonium hydroxide and recovered as U3O8 (98% yield).