Radiation Chemistry of Diethylhexylbutyramide (DEHBA)

Abstract

The rate of gamma radiolytic degradation of diethylhexylbutyramide (DEHBA) with and without contact with various aqueous nitric acid phases was measured, and the major degradation products were identified. The radiolytic degradation rate of DEHBA (~3.70 × 10-4 kGy-1) and associated products are analogous to those previously identified for diethylhexylisobutyramide (DEHiBA) under similar conditions. The amine and amide degradation products resulting from the two possible DEHBA C-N bond ruptures do not account for a complete mass balance; however, other minor degradation products that are possible based on analogy with results for DEHiBA were not amenable to the detection techniques used in the current work. The effects of gamma radiolysis on solvent extraction performance were greater for DEHBA, with D U and D Pu declining by up to 50 % by 1200 kGy. Uranium stripping was not affected; however, Pu stripping was adversely impacted. Furthermore, plutonium stripping was more dramatically impacted when DEHBA was irradiated in the presence of 4 M HNO 3. Color development was observed when DEHBA/dodecane was used in solvent extraction, but only for samples irradiated in the presence of 0.1 M HNO 3. These are indications that different degradation products, or a different abundance distribution occur for irradiation under different aqueous phase conditions. This work was performed in collaboration with CEA Marcoule, and is written in completion of milestone M3FT-17IN030104031.