OSCILLATORY EXTRACTION OF URANIUM

The kinetics of U and Ce extraction by tri-n-butyl-phosphate (TBP) and the redox potential behavior in the aqueous phase have been investiga ted in an oscillatory extraction system. The extraction has been follo wed continuously by UV-visible spectroscopy, potentiometry, and radioa ctive counting methods. Data collected showed the changes of Ce4+ and UO22+ concentrations in organic and aqueous phases with time. Uranium actively responded to the redox potential fluctuations. The uranium di stribution coefficient changed repeatedly and was out-of-phase with Ce (IV) fluctuations.