Nitric Acid Extraction into TODGA

Advanced solvent extraction processes, namely DIAMEX, SANEX or GANEX, for the separation of the minor actinides (americium and curium) are under development within Europe. The tridentate diglycolamide ligand, TODGA, shows many interesting properties and is under investigation in conjunction with a variety of other extractants for the DIAMEX and SANEX processes as well as the GANEX process. In order to successfully demonstrate these processes, understanding the acid extraction into the organic phases is critical to process flowsheet design and modelling. Here nitric acid extractions into TODGA have been measured and models produced using an equilibrium based approach accounting for nitric acid activities in the aqueous phase.