High Precision Droplet-Based Microfluidic Determination of Americium(III) and Lanthanide(III) Solvent Extraction Separation Kinetics

A new method for studying solvent extraction kinetics has been applied for measuring americium and lanthanide extraction rate constants. This droplet-based microfluidic method uses commercially available components and provides rapid, high throughput and accurate determination of absolute interfacial mass transfer rate constants. Reported for the first time are americium extraction rates relevant to TALSPEAK-type process conditions, including the americium and lanthanide rate dependencies on pH and extractant power.