Method of separating transplutonium elements from lanthanides in acidic solutions by solvent extraction

摘要

The improved method of separating transplutonium elements from lanthanides comprises the steps of adding an organic solvent containing an N-heterocyclic compound and a hydrophobic anion to an acidic aqueous solution containing both a lanthanide and a transplutonium element (TPE) and then extracting the transplutonium element into the organic phase. The method is capable of selective extraction of TPE without producing liquid wastes, is adapted to the continuous treatment process and yet can be implemented using inexpensive chemicals.