Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser – Synthetic resins – Polymers from only ethylenic monomers or processes of...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-08
2002-04-16
Wu, David W. (Department: 1713)
Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser
Synthetic resins
Polymers from only ethylenic monomers or processes of...
C526S318000, C526S318100, C526S319000, C526S323200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06372872
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns improvements in and relating to detection and extraction, particularly, but not exclusively, to the detection and/or extraction of uranium ions from solution.
2. Present State of the Art
Extraction routes for obtaining uranium from dissolved sources of uranium, such as sea water and leaching liquors are desirable to enable uranium to be extracted for subsequent use, for instance in the nuclear fuel cycle.
Similarly detection of the level of uranium ions in water and organic systems is desirable for process control and effluent monitoring.
To work effectively as an extractor and/or detector for uranium the system needs to be highly selective to uranium, unaffected by other components which may be present in the same environment, operate over a wide range of environmental conditions and concentrations, be robust and practical in the chemically complex and corrosive systems frequently encountered and also give accurate, repeatable readings in the case of detectors.
Prior art systems face problems in one or more of these areas and it is a principal aim of the present invention to provide improved detection and/or extraction for systems, including, but not limited to uranium.
OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention we provide a method for producing a system adapted to interact with a dissolved species, the method comprising providing a first component incorporating a complexing functionality, X, and a polymerisable functionality, R, the complexing functionality being capable of forming a complex with the dissolved species, and providing a second component polymerisable with the first component, the method involving contacting the first component with a species with which it complexes and subsequently contacting the complexed first component with the second component and polymerising the two to produce a polymer incorporating the complexing functionality X, the method further comprising the removal of the complexed species from the functionality X.
By providing the complexing functionalities in this way specifically targeted functionalities are provided in a fixed position.
According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a method for producing a system adapted to interact with a dissolved species, the method comprising providing a first component including a complexing functionality, X, and a polymerisable functionality, R, the complexing functionality being capable of forming a complex with the dissolved species, and providing a second component polymerisable with the first component, the method involving contacting the first and second components and polymerising the two to produce a polymer incorporating the complexing functionality X.
Preferably the method includes contacting the first component with a complexable species, equivalent to the dissolved species with which it is intended to interact, prior to contact with the second component.
Other options, possibilities and features for the first and second aspects of the invention include the following details.
Preferably the complexable functionality in the first component comprises an ionizable group, preferably ionising at pH's down to pH 6, more preferably down to pH 4 and ideally down to pH 2 or even down to 1.5.
Preferably the complexable functionality includes or consists of a carboxylic acid group.
The complexable functionality may be selective from functionalities of formula:
═CTCOOH, where T is hydrogen or any halogen, (most preferably chlorine) methyl and halogen substituted forms thereof; or
≡CCOOH; or
PhCOOH.
Preferably the polymerisable functionality of the first component comprises a double or triple carbon bond.
Preferably the polymerisable functionality is of formula:
XC≡CY
where W, X, Y or Z are, independently, selected from hydrogen, halogens, methyl or halogen substituted methyl groups, nitrogen or carbon based chains. Carbon based chains of 1 to 15 carbon atoms are preferred.
Most preferably the first component is an acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. Chloro-acrylic acid is a particularly preferred first component, with 2-chloro-acrylic acid ideal.
The first component may include a plurality of different molecules. Thus two or more different molecules with complexing and polymerising functionalities.
Preferably the second component includes a polymerisable functionality. The second component preferably includes a double or triple carbon bond.
The polymerisable functionality may be selected from the formula:
where R
1
, R
2
, R
3
and R
4
are, independently, selected from hydrogen, halogens, methyl or halogen substituted methyl groups, nitrogen or carbon, including carbon based chains.
Preferably carbon based chains of between 1 and 30 carbon atoms are involved.
More particularly the functionality may be of formula:
where R
1
, R
2
, R
3
and R
4
have the definition provide above and at least one of R
5
, R
6
are—COOH—or halogen substituted forms thereof; or
where one of R
7
or R
8
is hydrogen or a halogen and the other is —C
6
H
4
R
4
or halogen substituted forms thereof.
Preferably two functionalities are provided on the second component. The polymerisable functionalities may be the same or different.
Preferably the second component incorporates one or more amide groups.
Preferably the second component incorporates one or more ester groups. Preferably two amide or ester groups are provided between polymerising functionalities. The second component may incorporate groups according to formula:
—O(CR
9
R
10
)
x
O—where X is between 1 and 8and more preferably 2 to 4 and where R
9
, R
10
, are, independently, and independently between X's hydrogen, halogens, nitrogen or carbon based chains.
Preferably the second component incorporates a glycol, for instance ethylene,propylene, butylene or pentylene glycol.
The second component may incorporate di, tri or higher acrylates or methacrylates.
Preferably the second component is a glycol acrylate or glycol methacrylate and is most preferably ethylene glycol dimethacrylate.
The second component may be provided according to formula:
The second component may include a plurality of different molecules. Thus two or more different molecules with polymerisation functionalities may be provided.
Preferably the complexed species is a cation, most preferably a metallic ion. The ion may be provided in elemental or molecular form. It is particularly preferred that the complexed species be an actinide incorporating ion, such as a uranium incorporating ion. Most preferably it is the uranyl ion. Preferably the complexed species is provided in substantially pure form. Preferably other potentially complexed species are excluded from the contact method.
Preferably the first component and complexed species are presented to one another in a solvent, for instance water, methanol or di-chloromethane. Preferably the complexed species is added to the first component, most preferably in a gradual manner.
Preferably the first component is provided in a solvent together with a proton acceptor, for instance tri-ethylamine.
Where the complexed species is the uranyl ion, most preferably it is added as uranyl nitrate hexahydrate.
Preferably the mixture liquid is filtered following contact.
The first component and complexed species may be contacted with one another in a ratio varying between 10 to 1 first component to complexed species to 10 to 1 complexed species to first component.
Preferably the first component, whether with or without complexed reagent has the second component added to it.
Preferably the mixture, and particularly the precipitate is filtered and washed.
The ratio of first component to second component is preferably between 1 to 2 and 1 to 50 first component to second component.
Preferably the complexed species is removed from the polymerised product to make the complexing functionality available. Preferably the complexed species is removed by contact with an acid, preferably a concentrated acid, such as n
Joyce Malcolm John
Port Simon Nigel
Saunders Gregory David
Walton Paul Howard
British Nuclear Fuels PLC
Wu David W.
Zalukaeva Tanya
LandOfFree
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