Extraction of uranium from solutions of complex uranylcarbonate by cetyldimethyl-benzyl-ammonium chloride☆

Abstract The behaviour of the cetyl-dimethyl-benzyl-ammonium chloride (CDMBA) in the extraction of uranium dissolved in a carbonate medium has been studied in laboratory scale. The effect of a certain number of variables on the extraction factor has been determined. The variables considered included: the amount and concentration of CDMBA, carbonate and bicarbonate concentrations, uranium concentration, temperature, contact time and variations in the composition of the diluent. It has been found that, in the case of a uranium concentration of 1 g/l., the amount of uranium extracted in a single stage is as high as 94·4 per cent of the total if the concentration of CDMBA is 0·034 M and as 98 per cent if CDMBA 0·050 M is used.