Abstract:
Both sulphuric acid and carbonate column leaching tests were made in closed circuit on uranium bearing core ore samples. For this purpose, uranium ore samples of two different grades with U308 contents of 0. 053% were used. Sulphuric acid solution of acid concentrations 20,40,80 and 100 g/I and carbonate solutions of sodium carbonate concentrations 20,40,50,60, and 80 g/I were employed as lixiviants in column leaching experiments. In case of acid leaching test, it was determined that a maximum dissolution of 88% of uranium is obtained using acid concentration of 100 g/I. The sulphuric acid consumption is estimated to be 92 kg/ton of ore and the leaching period is found to be 16 days. In case of carbonate leaching tests a maximum dissolution of 96% is obtained on the use of sodium carbonate solution containing 80 g/I Na2 CO3 + 5 g/I NaHCO3. The sodium carbonate solution is estimated as 4 kg/t of ore and the leaching period is found to be 5 days.
Page(s):
26-51
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Nucleus, Volume: 26, Issue: 1--2, Year: 1989