THE HYDROLYSIS OF TRIBUTYL PHOSPHATE AND ITS EFFECT ON THE PUREX PROCESS

The rate of hydrolysis of TBP and the effect of the hydrolysis products in the Purex Process have been studied.Hydrolytic conditions may be encountered in the process which would lead to formation of dibutyl phosphoric acid, causing significant losses of tetravalent plutonixun in stripping.This situation may be easily alleviated by reducing and stripping the plutonium in the trivalent state.