Ultrasound enhancement of dissolution kinetics of uranium oxides in supercritical carbon dioxide

The enhanced dissolution of uranium oxides by the application of ultrasound in supercritical fluid carbon dioxide containing dissolved 4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione and tributyl phosphate is demonstrated. Under conditions of 60 degreesC and 150 atm. the steady state dissolution of UO3 with sonification is increased by approximately 100%. Furthermore, the effect of adding hydrogen peroxide to the supercritical system above enables the lower oxides of uranium, UO2 and U3O8, to be extracted. (C) 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.