This disclosure will describe a novel finding and make the claim for the first time on a group of old compounds and formulated new compounds. These compounds have superconducting property at high temperatures, i.e., 151K or higher. Several compounds were prepared, though not well-purified, at around middle of 1900s. Their chemical, structural, electric and magnetic properties were studied and reported but their superconducting property has not been known and has never been exploited because the idea of type-II superconductivity was not proposed at that time. Consequently, we claim this finding as an invention even though our invention is based on the studies of the compounds' electric and magnetic properties along with their crystallographic features from the previous publications. The experiments to further verify their high temperature superconductivity require the utilization of sophisticated facilities on synthesizing highly pure compounds and the deregulation from government security authorities on purchasing the starting materials.

This disclosure will describe a novel finding and make the claim for the first time on a group of old compounds and formulated new compounds. These compounds have superconducting property at high temperatures, i.e., 151K or higher. Several compounds were prepared, though not well-purified, at around middle of 1900s. Their chemical, structural, electric and magnetic properties were studied and reported but their superconducting property has not been known and has never been exploited because the idea of type-II superconductivity was not proposed at that time. Consequently, we claim this finding as an invention even though our invention is based on the studies of the compounds' electric and magnetic properties along with their crystallographic features from the previous publications. The experiments to further verify their high temperature superconductivity require the utilization of sophisticated facilities on synthesizing highly pure compounds and the deregulation from government security authorities on purchasing the starting materials.

The present invention relates to use of an amino-containing neutral phosphine extractant of Formula I in extraction and separation of thorium, and a process of extracting and separating thorium using the amino-containing neutral phosphine extractant of Formula I,

##STR00001##

wherein, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-C.sub.12 alkyl, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-16 alkyl and hydrogen, and n is an integer of 1 to 8.

The present invention relates to use of an amino-containing neutral phosphine extractant of Formula I in extraction and separation of thorium, and a process of extracting and separating thorium using the amino-containing neutral phosphine extractant of Formula I,

##STR00001##

wherein, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-C.sub.12 alkyl, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1-16 alkyl and hydrogen, and n is an integer of 1 to 8.

Methods and systems for separation of thorium from uranium and their decay products are provided. The method comprises combining a nuclear fuel feedstock comprising thorium and uranium with a first acid to form a first solution. The first solution is contacted an ion exchange resin that is selective for thorium or uranium. The thorium or uranium is at least partially removed from the first solution by binding the thorium or uranium to the ion exchange resin thereby forming a second solution. The second solution is combined with oxalic acid to precipitate uranium or thorium from the second solution to form a precipitate. The precipitate is separated from the second solution.

Methods and systems for separation of thorium from uranium and their decay products are provided. The method comprises combining a nuclear fuel feedstock comprising thorium and uranium with a first acid to form a first solution. The first solution is contacted an ion exchange resin that is selective for thorium or uranium. The thorium or uranium is at least partially removed from the first solution by binding the thorium or uranium to the ion exchange resin thereby forming a second solution. The second solution is combined with oxalic acid to precipitate uranium or thorium from the second solution to form a precipitate. The precipitate is separated from the second solution.

Systems for separating Ra from a mixture comprising at least Ra, Pb, Bi, and Th are provided. The systems can include: a first vessel housing a first media and Th or Bi; a second vessel in fluid communication with the first vessel, the second vessel housing a second media and Pb; and a third vessel in fluid communication with the second vessel, the third vessel housing a third media and Ra, wherein at least one of the first, second, or third medias are different from the other media.

Methods for separating Ra from Pb, Bi, and Th are provided, the methods can include: providing a first mixture comprising Ra, Pb, Bi, and/or Th; providing a system that can include: a first vessel housing a first media; a second vessel in fluid communication with the first vessel, the second vessel housing a second media; and a third vessel in fluid communication with the second vessel, the third vessel housing a third media; and exposing the first mixture to the first media within the first vessel then, through the fluid communication, exposing the first remainder to the second media in the second vessel, then, through fluid communication, exposing the next remainder to the third media in the third vessel, the exposing separating the Th and Bi from the Ra and Pb, and the Ra from the Pb.

Methods for separating Ra from being associated with a media are also provided. The methods can include: exposing the Ra and media to a chelating agent to form a mixture comprising the Ra complexed with the chelating agent.

The present disclosure provides a method for using a group of actinide and lanthanide (rare earth) metal compounds as well as early transition metal compounds that have the electric superconducting property at 151 K or higher that have the potential to reach a superconducting transition (critical) temperature (Tc) of room temperature (298 K) or even higher.

The present disclosure provides a method for using a group of actinide and lanthanide (rare earth) metal compounds as well as early transition metal compounds that have the electric superconducting property at 151 K or higher that have the potential to reach a superconducting transition (critical) temperature (Tc) of room temperature (298 K) or even higher.

This disclosure will describe a novel finding and make the claim for the first time on a group of old compounds and formulated new compounds. These compounds have superconducting property at high temperatures, i.e., 151 K or higher. Several compounds were prepared, though not well-purified, at around middle of 1900s. Their chemical, structural, electric and magnetic properties were studied and reported but their superconducting property has not been known and has never been exploited because the idea of type-II superconductivity was not proposed at that time. The experiments to further verify their high temperature superconductivity require the utilization of sophisticated facilities on synthesizing highly pure compounds and the deregulation from government security authorities on purchasing the starting materials.