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Modified diglycolamides for grouped actinide separation

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Abstract

The EURO-grouped actinide extraction process has been developed to co-separate transuranic actinide elements from spent nuclear fuel, based on an organic solvent composed of two extractants, a diglycolamide (TODGA) and a malonamide (DMDOHEMA). This work aims to simplify the organic formulation, replacing the two extractants with a single modified diglycolamide. Batch experiments were carried out with the new formulation, investigating the extraction behaviour of transuranic elements and important FPs under high Pu loading. The solvent had a Pu loading capacity of > 30 g/L and yielded low distribution ratios for problematic elements, i.e., Sr, Zr, Mo and Fe for acidities up to 2 M HNO3. Although further optimization is needed, the tested molecule is a very promising candidate for a simplified organic solvent for this type of separation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the EU GENIORS project and Åforsk foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Joint Research Centre-JRC, Directorate G, Nuclear Safety and Security, European Commission, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Rikard Malmbeck

  2. AF Industry AB, Grafiska vägen 2, 40151, Göteborg, Sweden

    Daniel Magnusson

  3. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Nuclear Waste Disposal (INE), Karlsruhe, Germany

    Andreas Geist

Authors
  1. Rikard Malmbeck
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  2. Daniel Magnusson
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  3. Andreas Geist
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Correspondence to Rikard Malmbeck.

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Malmbeck, R., Magnusson, D. & Geist, A. Modified diglycolamides for grouped actinide separation. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 314, 2531–2538 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5614-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5614-2

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