Recovery of Pm-147 by displacement chromatography using buffered eluent

The separation of rare-earth elements (REEs) by displacement complexing chr omatography as influenced by buffer additives was studied. Addition of sodi um acetate (0.1 M) in 0.075 M solution of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic aci d provided the smallest height equivalent of a theoretical plate (HETP) wit h an increase in the concentration of REEs and in the elution rate. Upon re covery from the concentrate of fission REEs the concentration of Pm-147 was nearly twofold greater as compared with elution without sodium acetate and reached 12000 Ci l(-1). In this case the velocity of promethium band incre ased 1.7 times and HETP decreased 2 times.