Extraction of uranium and plutonium from oxalate bearing solutions using phosphonic acid: Solvent extraction, extraction chromatography and infrared studies

Solvent extraction and extraction chromatography studies of uranium and plu tonium From oxalate supernatant solutions were carried out using 2-ethyl he xyl-2-ethyl hexyl phosphonic acid (PC88A). Based on the distribution data, it was inferred that both the uranium and plutonium could be recovered sati sfactorily from such a solution. These studies were found to be useful in o ptimising the appropriate concentration of PC88A, HNO3, oxalic acid and tem perature to recover more than 90% of plutonium from the large volumes of ox alate bearing waste solutions. Spectral characteristics of the extractant a nd its complexing behavior with tl(VI) was also studied using IR & FTIR.