RADIOLYTIC DEGRADATION OF TBP-HNO3 SYSTEM - GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF RADIATION-CHEMICAL YIELDS OF N-BUTANOL AND NITROBUTANE

Radiolytic degradation of the TBP-HNO3 system has been studied for the radiation dose range of 19.8 to 262 kGy by the gas chromatographic method. n-Butanol and nitrobutane formed due to irradiation have been identified and estimated in pure TBP, TBP-3M HNO3 extract and TBP-5M HNO3 extract. The G-values (radiation chemical yields) of n-butanol are determined to be 0.28, 0.77 and 0.47 for a pure TBP, TBP-3M HNO3 extract and TBP-5M HNO3 extract, respectively. The G-values of nitrobutane (1-nitrobutane) are 0.55 and 1.09 for TBP-3M HNO3 extract and TBP-5M HNO3 extract. It is found that G(n-butanol) is less for TBP-5M HNO3 extract than fbr TBP-3M HNO3 extract, while G(nitrobutane) is grater for TBP-5M HNO3 extract than for TBP-3M HNO3 extract. This is explained on the basis of the formation of TBP.HNO3 species and the role played by nitric acid in the TBP phase.