Evaluation of co- and Sequential Separation for Tc, Np and U by a $(TBP-TOA)/n-dodecane-HNO_3$ Extraction System

$(TBP-TOA)/n-dodecane-HNO_3$ 추출 계에 의한 Tc, Np, U의 공추출 및 순차분리 평가

This study was performed to evaluate the co- and sequential separation of Tc, Np and U from the simulated multi-component HLW solution by a TBP (tributyl phosphate)-TOA (tri- octyl amine)/NDD $(n-dodecane)-HNO_3$ extraction system. An optimal condition of (30% TBP-0.5% TOA)/NDD-1 M $HNO_3$ was selected by taking account of a prevention of the 3rd phase and effects of concentration of TBP, TOA and nitric acid on the co-extraction of Tc, Np and U. In that condition, the extraction yields were 81% (Tc), 85% (Np), less than 9% (Am and RE elements), about 8% (Pd), and less than 5% (other elements) so that the system developed for the co-extraction of Tc, Np and U was proved to be available. For that, however, more than 99% of Zr was found to be pre-removed. The co-extracted Tc, Np and U were sequentially separated in order of Tc(stripping agent : 5 M $HNO_3$)${\rightarrow}Np$ by reductive stripping (reductive-stripping agent : 0.1 M AHA)${\rightarrow}U$ (stripping agent : 0.01 M $HNO_3$), and then their separation factors were evaluated. At these conditions, 95% of Tc, 98% of Np and 99% of U could be recovered in each step.

본 연구에서는 다성분의 모의 HLW 용액으로부터 $(TBP-TOA)/NDD-HNO_3$ 혼합추출 계에 의한 Tc, Np, U의 공분리 및 이의 순차 분리 적용 가능성을 평가하였다. 우선 제 3상 방지 및 TBP, TOA,질산 농도 등이 Tc, Np, U의 공분리에 미치는 영향 등을 고려하여 최적 조건으로 (30% TBP-0.5% TOA)/NDD-1M $HNO_3$ 계를 선정하였다. 이때 추출율은 Tc (81%), Np (85%), U (93%), Am/RE 원소 (9% 이하) Pd (약 8%), 기타 원소 (5% 이하)로 Tc, Np 및 U의 공분리는 매우 우수하였으나, 조업 측면에서 Zr의 선 제거 (약 99 % 이상)가 요구되었다. 그리고 공추출된 Tc, Np 및 U을 Tc (역추출제 : 5 M $HNO_3$)${\rightarrow}Np$ 환원 (역추출제 : 0.1 M AHA)${\rightarrow}U$ (역추출제 : 0.01 M $HNO_3$)의 순으로 순차 분리하여 각각의 분리계수를 평가하였으며, 이때 Tc은 95%, Np은 98%, U은 99%를 회수할 수 있었다.