URANIUM RECOVERY FROM ORES

Patent · Wed Apr 15 04:00:00 EST 1959

OSTI ID:4270237

A process fcr separating U from Western ores by acetone extraction is described. The ore is ground to finer than -12 mesh and treated with HCl or HCl- H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/. Sufficient HCl shoukl be added to convert CaCO/sub 3/ to CaCl/ sub 2/, and U to UCl/sub 4/. The carbonate content of the ore is optimal at 0.4 to 0.6%. Any acid over the required HCl is concentrated H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/. The acidulation step may or may not be accompanied by roasting or an oxidizing agent such as KClO/sub 3/. The amount of water in the system was optimal at 50 to 150 g/l of acetone. In operation of the proeess, ground acidulated ore is put in the low end of a cylinder with an endless chain drag arrangement. The drags move the ore through a puddle of acetone at the bottom, then through an acetone wash then to an acetone evaporator. The solids settle out immediately giving a clear supernate. The U is recovered from the acetone by NH/sub 4/OH precipitation. (T.R.H.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-13-012549
• OSTI ID: 4270237
• Report Number(s): GB 811890
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACETONE
ACIDITY
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM CARBONATES
CALCIUM CHLORIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
CHLORINE OXIDES
CONFIGURATION
CYLINDERS
EVAPORATION
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
HYDROXIDES
MACHINE PARTS
OPERATION
ORE PROCESSING
OXIDATION
POTASSIUM OXIDES
QUANTITY RATIO
RECOVERY
SOLIDS
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
STANDARDS
SULFURIC ACID
URANIUM
URANIUM CHLORIDES
WATER