METHOD FOR REGENERATING SPENT SOLVENT GENERATED FROM NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE

摘要

A method for regenerating a spent solvent generated from a nuclear fuel cycle and containing a higher hydrocarbon (n-dodecane), tributyl phosphate and degradation products thereof comprises bringing the spent solvent into contact with a methanol/water mixture having a water concentration of 100 to 750 g/l. The resulting mixture is subjected to phase separation to form a non-methanol/water phase and a methanol/water phase. The degradation products such as DBP in the spent solvent selectively migrate into the methanol/water phase and n-dodecane and TBP can be recovered as the non-methanol/water phase. The non-methanol/water phase may be repeatedly extracted with further methanol/water.