The separation of Am from lanthanides by purified Cyanex 301 extraction

Separation factors of tracer amounts of Am from micro lanthanides (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and Sm) by purified Cyanex 301 extraction in nitrate media have been determined: SFAm/La similar to 3500, SFAm/Ce,Pr similar to 1000, SFAm/Nd similar to 1900, and SFAm/Sm similar to 4500, with an average value >2300. The distribution ratio decreases with increasing lanthanide concentration in the aqueous phase. In the presence of a macro amount of Pr + Nd (0.1 similar to 0.6 M) the separation factors SFAm/Eu and SFAm/Pr+Nd are about 4.7 x 10(3) and 2.1 x 10(3), respectively. The results of the countercurrent fractional process show that by using three extraction stages and two scrubbing stages, >99.99% Am can be separated from a tracer amount of Eu with <0.1% extraction of Eu. Using six extraction stages, >99.99% Am and <0.6% macro amount of Pr + Nd are extracted into the organic phase.