An Alternative Solvent Cleanup Method Using a Hydrazine Oxalate Wash Reagent

A hydrazine oxalate [(N₂H₅)₂C₂O₄] solution was used as an alternative wash method for cleaning 30% tributyl phosphate—70% normal paraffin hydrocarbon solvent. Experimental evidence shows the (N₂H₅)₂C₂O₄ wash solutions to be as effective as hydrazine carbonate [(N₂H₅)₂CO₃] or sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) in cleanup of test solvents. Major advantages of the alternative method are: (a) (N₂H₅)₂C₂O₄ wash solutions are easier to prepare and store than are the (N₂H₅)₂CO₃ solutions and (b) the and ions in spent (N₂H₅)₂C₂O₄ wash solutions can be decomposed into gases, whereas the sodium from Na₂CO₃ solutions must eventually be stored in some form as nuclear waste.