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During reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel by PUREX process uses an extractant that consist of a mixtures of TBP in a light hydrocarbon diluent. In the Russian industrial practice mainly used saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, but currently discusses the possibility of using branched-chain hydrocarbons, which have advantages properties over the first. Because in the technology process extractant is exposed by radiation in them proceed radiation-chemical processes that lead to the formation of degradation products and changes of the extractant properties. One of the important parameter from the point of view of explosion safety of technological process – the lower flammability limit (LFL) which defines admissible temperature for use of combustible liquid. The goal of this study was to identify the effect of ionizing radiation on LFL of the extraction mixture with a light hydrocarbon diluent - Isopar M. For this purpose the extraction mixture "30% TBP in the diluent Isopar M" was investigated and LFL were determined for "fresh" (75 C) and irradiated mixtures. The method of determining LFL was based on the standard [ISO 4589-84]. Ionizing radiation was simulated by using an electron accelerator with electron energy about 8 MeV and the irradiation was carried out up to absorbed doses of 2 MGy. In this study were tested the mixtures that were pre-saturated by nitric acid before irradiation and mixtures without saturation. For the purpose of regeneration of the extraction mixture, soda flushing, air bubbling and steam distillation were tested.
In this study were tested the mixtures that were pre-saturated with nitric acid before irradiation and mixtures without saturation. For the purpose of regeneration of the extraction mixture, soda flushing, air bubbling and steam distillation were tested.
