Radiolysis of solutions of TBP in contact with nitric acid: Formation of radiolysis products of the extraction reagent

The radiolysis of TBP-synthine (synthetic mixture of hydrocarbons) solutions in contact with 3M HNO/sub 3/ at large dose values was studied for various oxygen concentrations. Chemical-radiative yields of the main products, DBP, MBP + H/sub 3/PO/sub 4/, and polymer were measured. The effect of these products on zirconium extraction for high concentrations of zirconium is examined. The cause of precipitate formation in the hydrolysis of such systems was determined. It is related to the formation of insoluble compounds of zirconium with DBP and MBP. This conclusion is confirmed by data from model experiments. (auth)