Thorium ions Thorex process

It is also of interest to note that the effect of DBP on zirconium separation from thorium in the Acid-Thorex system is different than zirconium separation from uranium in the Purex system.(Figure k) The Purex data are from reference 6 and the Acid-Thorex data are from General Atomic Company pilot plant studies. The thorium probably forms a stronger DBP complex than does uranyl ion and, therefore, the amount of uncomplexed DBP available for raising the equilibrium distribution of zirconium would be less in the Acid-Thorex process. 

In the Acid-Thorex process, fluoride ion should be added to the thorium partitioning solution (1BX) to decrease thorium transfer to the uranium stripping column, particularly where highly radioactive feeds are used. This fluoride ion addition then decreases the precipitation of thorium-DBP in the uranium stripping column. Also, the partition cycle should be the first cycle in the Acid-Thorex process to allow separation of thorium from DBP. 

Thorium metal is slowly attacked by dilute hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, sulfuric, or nitric acids. It dissolves readily in concentrated hydrochloric acid or aqua regia. It is passive in concentrated nitric acid, but dissolves readily if 0.05 M of fluoride ion is added. This would be the preferred reagent to prepare feed for reprocessing irradiated thorium metal by the Thorex process. 

Hydrated thorium fluoride is precipitated when a soluble fluoride is added to a solution of thorium nitrate. Precipitation can be prevented by addition of aluminum nitrate to complex the fluoride ion, an expedient used in the Thorex process (Chap. 10, Sec. 5). 

Figure 10.26 compares the low-concentration distribution coefficients of uranium, thorium, plutonium, protactinium, and the principal fission products. The spread between thorium and fission-product zirconium is greatest between 1 and 2 M HNO3, the range used in the decontamination step of the acid Thorex process. Because the distribution coefficient of protactinium is close to that of thorium, it is necessary to remove protactinium or complex it with fluoride or phosphate ion to prevent its extraction with thorium. 

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