Studies on extraction behaviour of molybdenum (VI) from acidic radioactive waste using 2(ethylhexyl) phosphonic acids, mono 2(ethylhexyl) ester (PC-88A)/n-dodecane

Abstract

This paper describes the studies on the extraction of molybdenum (VI) from aqueous nitric acid medium by (2-ethylhexyl) phosphonic acid, mono (2-ethylhexyl) ester (PC-88A). The extraction affecting parameters such as concentration of HNO3 in aqueous feed, effect of concentration of extractants, effect of diluents, and molybdenum concentration in the aqueous phase are investigated to optimize the extraction conditions for the quantitative separation of molybdenum from nitric acid medium. With increase of HNO3 concentration in aqueous phase, percentage extraction was found to be decreased in all the cases. Percentage extraction of molybdenum increases with increase in PC-88A concentration till the 0.15 M of PC88A, and after that it becomes constant. Kerosene and n-dodecane was found to be most suitable diluents. Among the various strippants used 0.2 M (w/v) solution of Na2CO3 and 0.2 M (w/v) solution (NH4)2CO3 are found to be the equally suitable for stripping of molybdenum from the loaded organic phase. The stripping of molybdenum from loaded organic layer by various reagents followed the order: (NH4)2CO3 >Na2CO3 >0.1 M sodium salt of EDTA >2 M NaOH >8 M HNO3. The optimized process conditions are employed to extract molybdenum (VI) from actual Davies–Gray waste as well as from diluted high level waste generated in the purex stream. More than 94% Mo(VI) was extracted from radioanalytical as well as from high level waste of purex process and quantitative recovery was achieved in both the cases when 0.2 M sodium carbonate was used as stripping agent.