Dispersion-free solvent extraction of U(VI) in macro amount from nitric acid solutions using hollow fiber contactor

The applicability of dispersion-free solvent extraction (DFSX), through microporous hydrophobic membrane has been studied. The hollow fiber membrane contactor, with surface area of ∼381 cm2 was employed to extract U(VI) in macro concentration (35 g dm−3) from aqueous acidic solutions. Prior to deployment of this technique for recovery of U(VI) from oxalate supernatant waste, chemical parameters such as extractant concentration, feed acidity, concentration of U(VI) in feed were studied. The study revealed that 30% tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) in n-dodecane as an extractant and feed in 3 M HNO3 gave an optimum extraction of U(VI) and it was possible to strip back utilizing 0.05 M HNO3. It was established to recover more than 90% of U(VI) from oxalate supernatant waste, which was often generated from nuclear chemical facilities.