Chemical processing of irradiated actinide targets

Studies on the chemical processing of irradiated targets for the preparation of transuranic elements are presented. All the studies were orientated towards the development of processes for working in nitric acid media. Three methods of separating elements having very similar chemical properties were tested: the modification of the properties of the extracting agent by the addition of carboxylic (in view of obtaining a negative synergism); the modification of the oxidation-reduction properties in the presence of an extracting agent; and the modification of the affinities of trivalent ions for solvents by the formation of complex with polyaminoacetic compounds. A brief description is given of the processes used to prepare the transuranic elements / sup 238/Pu, /sup 243/Am, and /sup 244/Cm used at the Fontenay-aux-Roses nuclear research center. (FR)