Development of high performance electrochemical solvent extraction method

Okugaki, Tomohiko*; Kitatsuji, Yoshihiro  ; Kasuno, Megumi*; Yoshizumi, Asuka*; Kubota, Hiroki*; Shibafuji, Yayoi*; Maeda, Koji*; Yoshida, Zenko; Kihara, Sorin*

A high performance electrochemical solvent extraction method was developed based on the quantitative transfer of ions from an aqueous, W, to an organic solution, O. It was realized by applying a potential difference between W and O. The cell was composed of a porous Teflon tube immersed with O, a Ag wire inserted into the tube, a Pt wire placed outside the tube. When W containing ions was forced to flow through the narrow gap between the tube and Ag wire, and potential was applied, a very rapid quantitative ion transfer was attained. When O containing extractant, more than 99% of U(VI) in W was extracted during the residence (e.g., 40 s) in the cell. The fundamental feature of the extraction system was investigated, taking into account the application of the system to the extraction of actinide, lanthanide, Sr or Cs ions. The use of a column electrode system connected before the extraction system was examined in order to adjust the oxidation state of the element to that desired.