Patent ID: 8741237
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
1. A method for extracting plutonium from spent nuclear fuel, the method comprising: a. supplying plutonium in a first aqueous phase; b. mixing the plutonium first aqueous phase with a mixture of a polar organic compound and a moiety creating a first organic mixture having a first acidity as to allow the plutonium to substantially extract into the first organic mixture; and c. mixing the extracted plutonium with a second aqueous phase, wherein the second aqueous phase has a second acidity higher than the first acidity, so as to allow the extracted plutonium to extract into the second aqueous phase; d. selecting the polar organic compound as a molecule selected from the group consisting of n-octanol, hexanol, butanol, and combinations thereof, and wherein the moiety is a halocarboxylic acid.