Solvent Extraction of Cesium Using DtBuDB18C6 into Various Organic Solvents

Abstract

High concentration of Cs is present in high-level radioactive waste. It is well-known that Cs is an alkali element and difficult to extract completely into an organic phase. Crown ether compounds are widely available for Cs extractants; DtBuDB18C6 (di-t-butyl-dibenzo-18crown6), was used in this study. Organic solvents used for the industrial applications, such as n-dodecane and 1-octanol, have low solubility concerning the compound; other solvents were employed and tested. In this study, ketone-, ether-, and estertype solvents showed high solubility for DtBuDB18C6 and DtBuDB18C6, when dissolved in ketones and alcohols, exhibited relatively high Cs distribution ratios (D(Cs)), closely to 10.