Batchwise multi-stage extraction using ADAAM extractant for mutual separation of Am and Cm

Sasaki, Yuji  ; Kaneko, Masashi   ; Suzuki, Hideya*; Ban, Yasutoshi  

ADAAM, which is a tridentate diamide including tertiary N atom and developed by JAEA, shows very high separation factor (SF=6) of Am/Cm in nitric acid-n-dodecane system. We tried to enlarge SF using masking agents, however, it is not successful up to now. Thus, the batchwise multi-stage extraction using solo ADAAM for Am/Cm separation is performed. One of the advantages for this technique is available to use small volumes of organic and aqueous phases. Calculation gives product of more than 95% Am with less than 5% Cm by 12 stages of solvent extraction. On the other hand, because of relatively low SF, volume of the raffinate solution may increase several times after multi-stage extraction. In this presentation, we discuss how to cut down their volumes.