Abstract and subjects
In alkaline carbonate solutions both technetium and uranium exist as anionic species, TcO4- and UO2(CO3)(3)(4-), which makes separating Tc and U from each other more challenging compared to acidic PUREX type solutions where uranium forms neutral or cationic complexes. We tested the batch separation of Tc-99, U-238, and Pu-239 from carbonate solutions using anion exchange resins with different properties, including Purolite A530E, Reillex HPQ, and Dowex Marathon WBA. Overall, the highest K-d values for pertechnetate were achieved using the strong base resins in solutions of the lowest carbonate concentration. Pretreating the resins in higher carbonate concentrations before use was shown to increase the K-d values for pertechnetate. The measured K-d values for uranium generally were low, resulting in high selectivity for the separation of pertechnetate from uranium in carbonate solutions.