SEPARATION OF ZIRCONIUM(IV) FROM IMPURITIES WITH DI-2-ETHYLHEXYLPHOSPHORIC ACID FOR DETERMINATION OF THEM BY ICP-MS

Abstract

   Investigation of the effects of extraction time, extractant concentration, diluents, acids and loading capacity of the extractant, sunfate with di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid (DEHPA) in toluene on extracting of Zr(V) has been done. The optimal conditions for extraction of 30 mg/mL Zr(IV) are: 2 to 5M HNO3, toluene diluent, 50% DEHPA, 1 hrs. for phase contact time. Extraction efficiency of Zr(V) increase in order:  H2SO4 << HCl < HNO3.  Extraction, stripping of Zr, Hf and scrubbing impurities have been studied and showed that using 3M and 6M HNO3, can scrubbing 95% of almost investigated impurity elements and stripping about 20-26% of Zr(V). Obtained results allow to determine the content of impurities in Zr nuclear materials by ICP-MS technique after removal of Zr using extraction with DEHPA/toluene solvent. 

Keywords: extraction, zirconium, HNO3, DEHPA, toluene, impurities, ICP-MS.