Development of processes for the solubilization of uranium from waste leach residue. [Calsinter and fluoride sinter methods]
Two processes, capable of solubilizing enriched uranium from refractory leach residue solids generated at the Y-12 processing facility, have been developed and tested on a laboratory scale. Both processes take advantage of a sinter step, followed by leaching with nitric acid. One process, designated the Calsinter method, uses a source of CaO as a sintering media to react with refractory metal silicates and provide subsequent solubilization of uranium from the sinter matrix by an acid leach. The sintering step in this case requires a temperature of approximately 1200/sup 0/C. The second process employs fluoride in the sinter media to free the uranium from any refractory silicate, thus rendering it soluble in subsequent acid leaching. A sintering temperature of 700 to 900/sup 0/C is used in this process. Both methods are capable of solubilizing 90 to 99% of the uranium remaining in the leach residue which, after current solids leaching treatment at the Y-12 Plant, still contains 1 to 3% enriched uranium. Uranium concentrations in final leached residues (after the sinter/leach techniques) have been reduced to as low as 500 to 1000 ..mu..g U/g. Physical and chemical characterizations of the Y-12 leach residue are discussed. Inconel trays or high-magnesia refractory material have been shown to be potential materials of containment for the Calsinter step. Sinter reaction and leaching parameters are presented and discussed. 9 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- OSTI ID:
- 5262196
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM-8913; ON: DE84009118
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
URANIUM
SINTERING
SOLUBILITY
CALCIUM CARBONATES
CALCIUM OXIDES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
LEACHING
NITRIC ACID
RESIDUES
SCRAP METALS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TIME DEPENDENCE
ACTINIDES
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATES
CHALCOGENIDES
DATA
DISSOLUTION
ELEMENTS
FABRICATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
INORGANIC ACIDS
METALS
NUMERICAL DATA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SCRAP
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLID WASTES
WASTES
052001* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Processing