DISTRIBUTION OF N- AND ISO- BUTYRALDEHYDES BETWEEN TRI-N-BUTYL PHOSPHATE/ N-DODECANE AND NITRIC ACID

ABSTRACT

The distribution of n- and iso-butyraldehydes between tri-n-butyl phosphate(TBP) n-dodecane(nDD) and HNO₃ were measured. The distribution ratio of n-butyraldehyde in the TBP/nDD and HNO₃ system was nearly the same as that of iso-butyraldehyde. The distribution ratios of n- and iso-butyraldehydes increased with TBP concentration in the organic phase. The equilibrium constant of the extraction reaction was about 2. In a uranium, neptunium and plutonium separation process, most of the n- and iso-butyra1dehydes fed into theNp separation stepor into thePu/U partition will be left with the TBP solvent. The two compounds will be partly back-extracted to the aqueous phase in the U purification and in the solvent washing steps of the PUREX process.