Ernest P Lee

US Patent:

51124939, May 12, 1992

Filed:

Dec 10, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/624782

Inventors:

Thomas S. Snyder - Oakmont PA
Ernest D. Lee - Ogden UT

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B01D 1508

US Classification:

210656

Abstract:

A simple, low cost continuous process for separating and purifying zirconium and hafnium which eliminates liquid waste and facilitates the management of RCRA and LLW wastes is provided. An aqueous zirconium and hafnium--containing feed solution is prepared and fed to a continuously rotating annular chromatograph containing a bed of acid exchange resin. An acid eluant, such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid or the like, is fed through the acid exchange bed while chromatograph is rotating, which separates the feed into substantially pure zirconium and hafnium fractions and into RCRA and LLW waste fractions. The zirconium and hafnium are processed further into nuclear quality zirconium and hafnium metals. The acid eluant is recycled for reuse in the chromatograph, and the RCRA and LLW waste fractions are disposed of in solid form.

US Patent:

51749718, Dec 29, 1992

Filed:

Oct 10, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/597948

Inventors:

Thomas S. Snyder - Oakmont PA
Michael C. Skriba - Newport Beach CA
Edward J. Lahoda - Edgewood Borough PA
Ernest D. Lee - Ogden UT

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B01D 1508
C22B 3414

US Classification:

423 70

Abstract:

The thermal neutron capture cross-section of zirconium may be altered by altering its natural isotope distribution through a steady state chromatographic separation of these isotopes using an anion exchange resin as the stationary phase of the chromatographic column. Zirconium is dissolved in a very strong acid which causes the formation of a zirconium anion, such as the ZrOCl. sub. 4. sup. -2 anion formed in six normal hydrochloric acid, and eluted off the column with a weaker acid. Distinct elution volumes representative of each isotope are collected. In a preferred embodiment, the process also separates the zirconium from hafnium and the other impurities normally present in the product obtained by chlorinating zircon sand and utilizes a continuous annular chromatograph.

US Patent:

51105667, May 5, 1992

Filed:

Jul 19, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/555342

Inventors:

Thomas S. Snyder - Oakmont PA
Ernest D. Lee - Ogden UT

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

C22B 3410

US Classification:

423 70

Abstract:

The isotopes of zirconium can be partially or completely separated by loading an aqueous solution of an ionic compound of zirconium onto a cationic exchange resin with pentavalent phosphorus derived active groups which serves as the stationary phase of a chromatograph, eluting the compound with an aqueous acid and collecting distinct elution volumes representative of each isotope. In a preferred embodiment, the eluant is a strong mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid and the chromatograph is of a type, such as a continuous annular chromatograph, that it can be operated in a continuous, steady state manner.

US Patent:

50230611, Jun 11, 1991

Filed:

Jul 2, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/546982

Inventors:

Thomas S. Snyder - Oakmont PA
Ernest D. Lee - Ogden UT

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B01D 1508
C22B 3414
C10G 2500
C10G 2700

US Classification:

423 70

Abstract:

The isotopes of zirconium can be partially or completely separated by loading an essentially anhydrous alcoholic solution of an ionic compound of zirconium onto a cationic exchange resin with pentavalent phosphorus derived active groups which serves as the stationary phase of a chromatograph, eluting the compound with an essentially anhydrous alcoholic solution of hydrogen chloride and collecting distinct elution volumes representative of each isotope. In a preferred embodiment, the active groups of the cation exchange resin are derived from di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid, tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide or tributyl phosphate and the chromatograph is of a type, such as a continuous annular chromatograph that it can be operated in a continuous steady state manner.