Generation of Nitrous Acid by Ultrasound Irradiation in the Organic Solution Consisting of Tri-n-butylphosphate, Nitric Acid and Water

• Published in: Journal of nuclear science and technology Vol. 42; no. 11; pp. 979 - 983
• Main Authors: SHIMIZU, Ryosuke, SAWADA, Kayo, ENOKIDA, Youichi, YAMAMOTO, Ichiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Taylor & Francis Group 01.11.2005; Atomic Energy Society of Japan
• Subjects: and H; Applied sciences; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; HNO; nitric acid; Nuclear fuels; O, nitrous acid; organic solution consisting of TBP; Preparation and processing of nuclear fuels; tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP); ultrasound; Purex process; nitrous acid; tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP); Nuclear fuel; Uranium oxide; Butyl phosphates; Reprocessing; Ultrasound; Nitric acid; HNO3 and H2O; organic solution consisting of TBP
• ISSN: 0022-3131; 1881-1248
• DOI: 10.1080/18811248.2005.9711049

The generation of nitrous acid (HNO 2 ) by ultrasound was investigated for an organic solution consisting of tri-n-butylphosphate, nitric acid (HNO 3 ) and water under several conditions. The amount of HNO 2 was found to increase by a factor of 40 upon ultrasound irradiation, and the concentration of HNO 2 reached the steady-state after long time irradiation. Although the concentration of HNO 3 was low, the rate of generation of HNO 2 in the organic solution was higher than that in aqueous solution equilibrated with the organic solution. The formation rates of HNO 2 were greatly enhanced with an increase in concentration of HNO 3 in the organic solution. The concentration of HNO 2 was higher in the absence of a gas phase, because the HNO 2 was transferred from the solution into the gas phase as a form of NOx. In the presence of a gas phase, a higher concentration of HNO 2 was obtained at a lower temperature, due to the higher solubility of NOx in the solution.