STUDIES ON THE RECOVERY OF PU(IV) FROM HYDROCHLORIC ACID-OXALIC ACID-SOLUTIONS USING AN ANION-EXCHANGE METHOD

Sorption of Pu(IV) from hydrochloric acid oxalic acid solutions has be en investigated using different anion exchangers, viz., Dowex - 1x4, A mberlite XE-270 (MP) and Amberlyst A-26 (MP) for the recovery of pluto nium from plutonium oxalate solutions. Distribution ratios of Pu(IV) f or its sorption on these anion exchangers have been determined. The so rption of Pu(IV) from hydrochloric acid solutions decreases drasticall y in the presence of oxalic acid. However, addition of aluminium chlor ide enhances the sorption of plutonium in the presence of oxalic acid, indicating the feasibility of recovery of plutonium. Pu(IV) breakthro ugh capacities have been determined with a 10 mi resin bed of each of these anion exchangers at a flow rate of 60 mi per hour using a soluti on of Pu(IV) with the composition: 6M HCl + 0.05M HNO3 + 0.1M H2C2O4 0.5M AlCl3 + similar to 100 mg.l(-1) Pu(IV). The 10% Pu(IV) breakthro ugh capacities for Dowex 1x4, Amberlite XE-270 (MP) and Amberlyst A-26 (MP) are 15.0, 8.9 and 6.2 g of Pu(IV) l(-1) of resin respectively.