Solvent extraction of uranium(VI) and europium(III) from nitrate media by picolinamide

The solvent extraction of uranium(VI) and europium(III) from nitric acid solution was studied with pi- colinamide dissolved in ethylene dichloride. The distribution ratios of U(VI) and Eu(III) as a function of aqueous HNO3 concentration , extractant concentration in organic phase and temperature as well as the salting-out agent con- centration have been measured. The experiment results show that picolinamide has higher extractability for U(VI) than for Eu(III). The composition of extracted species, equilibrium constants and enthalpies of extraction reaction have also been presented.