Mechanism of Extraction of Hexavalent Uranium from Alkaline Medium by Aliquat-336/Kerosene Solution

Abstract

The kinetics of extraction of uranium (VI) from alkaline carbonate medium by tricaprylmonomethylammonium chloride (Aliquat-336) in kerosene has been investigated using a stirred Lewis cell. The effects of different parameters affecting the extraction rate, such as hydrogen ion, carbonate, hydroxide, Aliquat-336, U (VI) concentrations as well as temperature, were separately studied and a rate equation was deduced. The extraction process was found to be governed by chemical reaction in the bulk phase rather than at the interface.