Use of a pulsed column contactor as a continuous oxalate precipitation reactor

► A new type of continuous precipitating device was patented by CEA and tested with reaction between a surrogate nitrate cerium(III) or neodymium(III) and oxalate complexing agent. ► Precipitate is confined in aqueous phase emulsion in tetrapropylene hydrogen and does not form deposit on the vessel walls. ► Measure size of the precipitate ranges from 20 to 40 μm, it meets the process requirements to filter, and the precipitation reaction is complete. ► The laboratory design can be extrapolated to an industrial uranium(IV) and minor actinide(III) coprecipitating column.