Solvent extraction of uranium from leach solutions obtained in processing of Polish low-grade ores

Katarzyna Kiegiel,Grażyna Zakrzewska-Kołtuniewicz,Paweł Biełuszka,Stanisław Wołkowicz,Anna Abramowska

doi:10.1007/s10967-016-5029-5

Abstract

Solvent extraction of uranium from acidic and alkaline post-leaching liquors that were obtained by leaching of Polish ores is reported in this paper. The stripping of uranium from organic to aqueous phase was also studied. The synergistic mixture of 2-diethylhexylphosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and tri-n-butylphosphate (0.2 M:0.2 M) was found as a good extracting agent for uranium. Recovery of uranium was reached even 98 %. The effect of such parameters like uranium concentration and concentration of reagents used in the experiments was evaluated in advance by using a model uranium solutions.

Highlights

Uranium was extracted from the raw material in complex hydrometallurgical processes involving many separation steps
Solvent extraction of uranium from acidic and alkaline post-leaching liquors that were obtained by leaching of Polish ores is reported in this paper
The results showed that uranium was extracted from the solution obtained after sulphuric acid leaching with high efficiency as expected (99 % for di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and 98 % for TnOA)

Summary

Introduction

Uranium was extracted from the raw material in complex hydrometallurgical processes involving many separation steps. The aim of these studies was a selection of the extracting agents appropriate for the recovery of uranium from acidic and alkaline post-leaching liquors that were obtained by leaching of Polish ores. Were tested, and separation of uranium from other metals present in leach solutions, and efficiencies of their extraction were determined. The uranium liquors (sulphuric and carbonate) used in the experiments were obtained by leaching Polish uranium ores: Triassic sandstones using sulphuric acid or sodium carbonate and bicarbonate solution [10, 11].

Results

Conclusion