3. Application example: uranium-plutonium partitioning
Let's consider the case of the return of a metal species M from a solvent phase S to an aqueous phase A. To promote this de-extraction, we modify the valence state of M in the aqueous phase using an appropriate reagent B. M then becomes M′ inextractable by solvent S.
This example provides a simplified illustration of reductive plutonium removal in the nuclear fuel reprocessing industry, known as the "Uranium/Plutonium Partitioning Stage" of the PUREX process.
More precisely, it is a redox reaction (known as "functional") in the aqueous phase reducing plutonium from its oxidation state IV to III by means of uranium IV according to the reaction :
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Application example: uranium-plutonium partitioning
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