Kinetics of Reactive Extraction of Nd from Nd2O3 with TBP-HNO3 Complex in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The process based on supercritical fluid extraction for reprocessing of the spent nuclear fuel has some remarkable advantages over the plutonium-uranium extraction (PUREX) process. Especially, it can minimize the generation of secondary waste. Dynamic reactive extraction of neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) containing tri-n-butyl phosphate-nitric acid (TBP-HNO3) complex was investigated. Temperature showed a positive effect on the extraction efficiency, while pressure showed a negative effect when the unsaturated TBP-HNO3 complex was employed for the dynamic reactive extraction of Nd2O3 in SC-CO2. Both temperature and pressure effects indicated that the kinetic process of the reactive extraction was controlled by the chemical reaction. A kinetic model was proposed to describe the extraction process.