A CHEMICAL MODEL OF THE SOLVENT EXTRACTION SYSTEM: NITRIC ACID- URANYL NITRATE- WATER - TRI-n-BUTYL PHOSPHATE (TBP) - DILUENT

ABSTRACT A mathematical model founded on the equilibrium constants expressions has been developed for the simultaneous extraction of nitric acid and uranyl nitrate with TBP in alkane diluents. The model uses chemical activities of nitric acid and uranyl nitrate in the aqueous phase and the stoichiometric concentrations of their TBP solvates in the organic phase. The apparent formation constants of the species (TBP)2, (TBP)2HNo3, TBPHNO3, and UO2(NO)3 2TBP, present in the organic phase, have been established. The model fits well the distribution results over the whole concentration range of the extraction isotherms, and extractant concentrations 5–10% TBP. The starting data are the chemical activities of nitric acid and uranyl nitrate in the aqueous phase and their stoichiometric concentrations in the organic phase.