Clean methodology for nuclear laboratory waste remediation: Part-II: Recovery of Americium

As a part of various analytical activities of nuclear laboratories, large volumes of radioactive waste are generated that are extremely hazardous to the environment. The alpha emitting actinides from these wastes must be removed completely (<0.37 Bq/mL) before their discharge for further waste management. In this context, we developed and deployed a novel, simple and clean two step methodology for the recovery of U, Pu and Am from the laboratory waste generated during various chemical quality control activities in nuclear industry. In the first step (reported in Part-I), U and Pu are recovered quantitatively in highly pure form using hollow fibre supported liquid membrane leaving behind all Am and other metallic impurities in the raffinate. In this communication, we report the quantitative recovery of Am from the left-over raffinate using tetraoctyl diglycolamide extraction chromatography. The raffinate after the recovery of actinides (U, Pu and Am) was free from alpha activity that could be managed easily. Additionally, the recovered actinide products were in desired purity for recycling. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study developed a method for recovering uranium, plutonium, and americium from laboratory waste, achieving quantitative recovery and improving the management efficiency and recycling rate of radioactive waste.