Challenges to develop single-column MA(III) separation from HLLW using R-BTP type adsorbents

In order to directly separate trivalent minor actinides (MA: Am, Cm) from fission products (FP) containing rare earths (RE) in high level radioactive liquid waste (HLLW), the authors have challenged to develop a simplified MA separation process by extraction chromatography using a single column. Attention has been paid to a new type of nitrogen-donor ligands, R-BTP (2,6-bis(5,6-dialkyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl) pyridine, R: alkyl group) as an extractant because it shows high extraction selectivity for Am(III) over RE(III). It is known that the R-BTP ligands show different properties such as adsorbability and stability by having different alkyl groups. Therefore, some novel adsorbents were prepared by impregnating different types of R-BTP ligands (isohexyl-, isoheptyl- and cyheptyl-BTP) and a similar ligand to the R-BTP, ATP (2,6-bis(1-aryl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyridines), into the porous silica/polymer support (SiO ₂-P particles). This work deals with comparison in adsorption and desorption properties of Am and some FP in HNO ₃ solution onto such R-BTP type adsorbents, as well as chemical and radiolytic stability of the adsorbents. Then the possibility of a single-column separation of MA from main FP was pursued by evaluating the results of column experiments using the most promising adsorbent (isohexyl-BTP/SiO ₂-P) under temperature control. In addition, elution behaviors of U and Pd were also estimated.