Americium Recovery and Purification at Rocky Flats

Abstract

Americium processing a t Rocky Flats Plant is described. The ameri cium is recovered from plutonium metal by a pyrochemical proce ss ; the resulting molten salt extraction residues must be proces sed to recover americium. At present the process uses cation exchange with Dowe x SOW-X8 resin. Thi s work shows that a macroporous resin, BioRad AG MP-50, has 30 to 50% more capacity and better elution kinetics than Dowex 50W-X8. Two extraction methods, solvent extract ion and extraction chromatography with an organophosho r us bldentate, a re also desc r ibed. Americium is effective l y decontam in ated fr om magnesium and aluminum, and recove red by t he se me t hods.