Experimental Test of a Process Upset in the EURO-GANEX Process and Spectroscopic Study of the Product

EURO-GANEX is an innovative hydrometallurgical process for the group separation of transuranic actinides from future spent nuclear fuels. A flowsheet test a upset (or ‘maloperation’) has been carried out involving reduction in concentration scrub acid feed to extract-scrub contactors. The experimental was completed two stages. First, contactors were run under normal conditions before initiating by reducing acidity 0.5 0.05 mol/L HNO3. At low acidity, change online UV-Vis spectra solvent phase indicated formation hydrolyzed plutonium species or colloid formation. Surprisingly, however, this did not lead recycle and accumulation as expected indicating that quite robust towards upset. Further spectroscopic investigations organic-phase also performed characterize which form well separate TODGA DMDOHEMA phases. studies supported view Pu(IV) hydrolyses at but hydrolysis limited organic ligands consequently reversible on raising again. observed