Preparation of U3O8 by calcination from ammonium uranyl carbonate in microwave fields: Process optimization

Abstract

The effects of process conditions on preparation of U3O8 by calcination from ammonium uranyl carbonate in microwave fields were assessed and optimized for maximizing the total uranium as well as calcination temperature, adopting as Central Composite Design (CCD) methodology. The process variables assessed were calcination temperature, calcination duration and mass of sample. A quadratic model relating the process variables and the total amount of uranium and U3O8 was proposed eliminating the insignificant parameters. The optimal calcination conditions were estimated to be a calcination temperature of 942.75K, calcination duration of 8.78min, with the corresponding total uranium and U3O8 to be 82.07% and 31.33%, respectively.