The promising new extractant molecule butyl-1-[N,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)carbamoyl]nonyl phosphonic acid (DEHCNPB) was designed and used to develop a new solvent extraction process for the selective recovery of uranium from phosphoric acid. This bifunctional extracting molecule shows high affinity and selectivity for uranium(VI) versus iron(III) and the other elements present in phosphoric acid (Al, Ti, V, etc.). Batch equilibrium experiments were first carried out to determine the stoichiometries of the different complexes formed with uranium(VI) and iron(III) in organic phase and to optimize the different steps of the process at laboratory scale. These experimental data were then used to develop a chemical model to simulate uranium(VI) and iron(III) extraction from phosphoric acid, which was implemented in the PAREX simulation code. A flowsheet was calculated and tested in laboratory-scale mixer-settlers on a genuine phosphoric acid industrial solution. The continuous counter-current test was very successful and showed the possibility to recover more than 95% of uranium decontaminated from the main impurities. A Fe/U ratio of 0.03% was measured in the uranium product, which confirms the high potential of this new solvent for the further production of nuclear-grade uranium from phosphate ores.

The selective separation of uranium(VI) in the first cycle of the GANEX process is operated by a hydrometallurgical process using a monoamide extractant DEHiBA (N,N-di-(2-ethylhexyl)isobutyramide). Distribution ratios of uranium(VI) and nitric acid in 1 M DEHiBA/HTP were determined with macro-concentrations of uranium, and the experimental data were modelled by taking into account the activity coefficients of the constituents in aqueous phases. A flowsheet was designed and tested in a countercurrent process in laboratory-scale mixer-settlers on a surrogate U(VI)/HNO 3 feed. More than 99.999% of the uranium was recovered. (authors)