Research Progress and Development of the Separation and Purification Process for 238Pu
A systematic investigation and analysis were conducted on the separation and purification process of neptunium and plutonium from the solution of irradiated neptunium targets,and the latest research progress in this field in China was discussed and summarized.The analysis results indicate that the separation and purification process of neptunium and plutonium from the solution of irradiated neptunium targets includes ion exchange method and solvent extraction method.Recently,the industrial production of 238Pu has abandoned ion exchange method and adopted solvent extraction method.The differences in process parameters between different solvent extraction methods mainly come from the type of extractant and the valence state combination of neptunium and plutonium in the solution.Through comparison,it is believed that the theoretical reliability of the solvent extraction process flow designed by the United States using tributyl phosphate(TBP)as the extractant is high.The valence state combination feed of Np(IV)and Pu(IV)has been verified through cascade experiments by the Chinese Institute of Atomic Energy,while the valence state combination feed of Np(IV)and Pu(III)still needs further verification.In addition,the solvent extraction method using di(1-methylheptyl)methyl phosphonate(DMHMP)as the extractant has more theoretical application prospects.
irradiated Np targetseparation and purificationNpPuprocess
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