Recovery of Uranium from Phosphoric Acid: A Review

Abstract

ABSTRACTUranium is an indispensible material for the generation of electricity by nuclear reactors. The depletion of primary uranium ore bodies has rekindled interest in recovering uranium from other sources to bridge the gap between supply and demand. Rock phosphate is an important secondary source of uranium that offers dual advantages not only to provide uranium for energy production, but also prevents the soils and crops from radioactive contamination. The present review is the compilation of literature reports on the processes for recovery of uranium from phosphoric acid origin by different techniques with an emphasis on solvent extraction technology. The pre- and post-treatment of phosphoric acid were also highlighted together with a history of different extractant systems employed for uranium recovery. Recent developments in evaluating the new extractant molecules for effective separation of uranium from phosphoric acid solution have also been elaborated. With an eye on the different extractants or solvent systems that were studied earlier for uranium extraction from phosphoric acid, factors affecting the extractant moiety are also reviewed to provide insight upon emerging novel extractants to be explored in the future endeavor of solvent designers or synthesizers.