SEQUENTIAL SEPARATION OF PU, NP, U AND AM FROM HIGHLY RADIOACTIVE HANDFORD WASTE BY ION-EXCHANGE METHODS

A simple, rapid method has been developed for the sequential separation of actinide elements from samples with high salt content such as those resulting from efforts to characterize Hanford storage tank waste. Actinides in 9M HCl solution are introduced into an anion exchange column. U(VI), Np(IV) and Pu(IV) are retained on the column while Am(III) passes through. Plutonium is eluted first, reductively; after which neptunium and then uranium are eluted with mixtures of HCl and HF. The Am(III) is purified by cation exchange in a nitric acid system.