Removal of Ruthenium from PUREX Process, (II)

Fundamental Research of Electrolytic Oxidation of Ruthenium

Abstract

A new method was developed for the removal of ruthenium from nitric acid solutions. Ruthenium in 3 M nitric acid solution is oxidized electrolytically to ruthenium tetraoxide, and the tetraoxide is extracted into n-paraffin. The ruthenium tetraoxide extracted in paraffin is readily reduced to ruthenium dioxide by the solvent as black suspension, and it can be easily filtered off through an ordinary cellulose fiber filter. By this method, ruthenium, one of the most troublesome fission elements in PUREX Process, can be removed.