SORPTION OF URANIUM FROM NITRIC-ACID SOLUTION USING TBP-IMPREGNATED ACTIVATED CARBONS

The concept of extraction chromatography has been used to study the so rption of uranium from nitric acid solutions using tri-n-butyl phospha te (TBP) impregnated activated carbons. Batch equilibrium data and kin etic and breakthrough column behaviour of uranium are reported. Wood b ased activated carbon has shown better capacity and breakthrough chara cteristics than shell based activated carbon. Sorption rate on impregn ated carbons was relatively slow indicating that diffusion is the rate controlling step within the pore structure of the activated carbon. U ranium distribution on impregnated activated carbons is compared with equivalent bulk liquid extraction and a mechansim of uranium sorption is discussed.