Mixer settler concentration profile

Fig. 11.18 Concentration profiles for mixer-settler bank under total reflux system TBP (50%) from nitrate medium. (From Ref. 42.)... 

Figure 2. U-Pu separation (Experiment no. 33) concentration profile in the 16-stage electroreduction mixer settler, MILLI-EMMA (8) [HNOs], [N2H5N03] in mol/L [U], [Pu] in g/L [TBP] in vol % flows in mL/hr.

The conversion rate of about 1,3 g U(IV) per Ah, calculated by means of the column concentration profile, hold-up and operating current corresponds to the value found for the electroreduction mixer settler. 

Figure 5 shows a comparison of U(IV) concentration profiles realized experimentally for the mixer settler and the pulsed column. The U(IV) profile in the columns shows an inventory of about a tenfold stoichiometric excess for the aqueous phase, relative to the Pu profile to be expected from LWR fuel. The U(IV) production rate in the column can easily be increased to an extent higher than the feed rates of externally produced U(IV) normally required in the conventional reduction column. Therefore one can at least expect equally good results for the U/Pu separation with the electro-reduction column as with the normal procedures. This is also confirmed by experiments in the USA which resulted in the installation of an electro-reduction column in the AGNS Plant at Barnwell. In these experiments even with high acid concentrations (2 M HNO in the aqueous strip, BXS) high plutonium decontamination factors have been achieved (17). 

Bata and results of the experiments are given in table I and the concentration profile in the mixer-settler shown in Fig.15. From these the following points could be noted ... 

Figure 15. Concentration profile in the mixer settler O, organic phase A, aqueous phase.

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