Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

THE DETERMINATION OF URANIUM IN LOW GRADE ORES

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4235443
A method has been developed which has a general application for the assessment of low-grade uranium ores. A nitric acid solution of the ore, obtained after it has been sintered with sodium peroxide at 450 deg C, is extracted with ether using a cellulose column. The uranium is concentrated in perchloric acid and determined polarographically. On a sample weight of 1 g, uranium contents of 10 ppm may be assessed with accuracy, and lower amounts can be detected. At a level of 180 ppm the coefficient of variation is plus or minus 1.5%, and this precision should not be significantly changed at lower levels. The method is not affected by the presence of gross amounts of any elements except molybdenum. The presence of molybdenum up to at least 0.2% may be tolerated, and procedures are indicated which can be applied to ores of higher molybdenum content. (auth)
Research Organization:
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. Research Group. Chemistry Div., Woolwich Outstation, England
NSA Number:
NSA-13-018874
OSTI ID:
4235443
Report Number(s):
AERE-C/R-1868
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English