Method of separating and purifying spent solvent generated in nuclear fuel cycle.

摘要

A method of separating and purifying a spent solvent generated in a nuclear fuel cycle and containing a phosphate and a higher hydrocarbon is disclosed. This method comprises treating the spent solvent at a temperature not greater than the freezing point of the higher hydrocarbon, but not less than the freezing point of the phosphate to freeze selectively the higher hydrocarbon, and separating a resulting frozen solid mainly composed of the higher hydrocarbon from a remaining solution containing the phosphate in a higher concentration. The remaining solution may further be subjected to low-temperature vacuum distillation to separate the solution into the phosphate and deterioration product thereof.