Inherently safe in situ uranium recovery
An in situ recovery of uranium operation involves circulating reactive fluids through an underground uranium deposit. These fluids contain chemicals that dissolve the uranium ore. Uranium is recovered from the fluids after they are pumped back to the surface. Chemicals used to accomplish this include complexing agents that are organic, readily degradable, and/or have a predictable lifetime in an aquifer. Efficiency is increased through development of organic agents targeted to complexing tetravalent uranium rather than hexavalent uranium. The operation provides for in situ immobilization of some oxy-anion pollutants under oxidizing conditions as well as reducing conditions. The operation also artificially reestablishes reducing conditions on the aquifer after uranium recovery is completed. With the ability to have the impacted aquifer reliably remediated, the uranium recovery operation can be considered inherently safe.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- Assignee:
- Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
- Patent Number(s):
- 8,708,422
- Application Number:
- 13/084,391
- OSTI ID:
- 1130304
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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journal | April 1997 |
Control of pyrite oxidation by phosphate coating
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journal | January 1995 |
Acidity and Structure of Isosaccharinate in Aqueous Solution: A Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Study
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journal | August 2003 |
Complexation of Calcium by alpha-Isosaccharinic Acid under Alkaline Conditions.
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journal | January 1999 |
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