Stability of phenyl trifluoromethyl sulfone as diluent in a grouped actinide extraction process

Abstract

In this work, stability experiments have been performed on a phenyl trifluoromethyl sulfone based solvent containing 6,6′-bis(5,6-dialkyl-[1,2,4-]triazin-3-yl)-2,2′-bipyridine and tri-butyl phosphate. This solvent is intended to be used in a grouped actinide extraction process for partitioning and transmutation purposes. The distribution ratio for americium was determined to approximately 20 and for europium approximately 0.26 giving a separation factor of 77. The solvent maintain good distribution ratios and separation factors during both gamma irradiation of 6.6 kGy h−1 for up to 24 h and acid contact for up to 6 weeks at room temperature.