CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY DIVISION, CHEMICAL DEVELOPMENT SECTION C PROGRESS REPORT FOR DECEMBER 1959 AND JANUARY 1960

The recovery of Th from Blind River ion exchange barrens with di(2- ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid was investigated. The recovery of Tc and Np from fluorination plant residues with tertiary amine was studied. The extraction of Np/sup 4+/ by quaternary ammonium nitrates is reported. A solvent recovery procedure involving successive use of Na/sub 2/CO/sub 3/washing and Al/sub 2/O/ sub 3/- adsorption was demonstrated in laboratory tests as a possible method for the purification and decontamaination of organophosphorus process solvents. The effect of nitrated fractions of Annsco 125-82 on Zr-Nb extractions by TBP was investigated. Treatnnent of TBPAmsco 125-82 solutions with 2 M HNO/sub 3/ at 60 ction prod- C for 1 to 48 hr showed that under these mild conditions the TBP degradation products were more important than those from Amsco as contributors to Zr-Nb extraction and as affecting efficiency of solvent clean-up. The interfacial tensions between benzene solutions of several amine salt and alkyl phosphate extractants and aqueous solutions were examined as functions of the solute concentrations. (For preceding period see CF-59-11-132.) (W.L.H.