What is the purpose of the ether extraction

Ether extraction is used in the determination of Uranyl nitrate also known as Uranium.

The extraction of uranyl nitrate depends on partition coefficient (i. e the ration of equilibrium concentration in the ether layer to the of water layer) following formula is used for the extraction of uranium from ether extraction.

Percentage extracted = partition coefficient / 1 + partition coefficient) x 100

Temperature, the concentration of salts and nitric acid can also affect the percentage yield of uranium during the extraction procedure.