RECOVERY OF THORIUM AND URANIUM VALUES FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
This patent deals with the separation and recovery of uranium from monazite sand. After initial treatment of the sand with sodium hydroxide, a precipitate is obtuined which contains the uranium, thorium, rare earths and some phosphorus. This precipitate is then dissolved in nitric acid. The bulk of the rare earths are removed from thls soiution by adding aa excess of alkali carbonate, causing precipitation of the rare earths together with part of the thorium present. The solution still contains a considerable amount of thorium, some rare earths, and practically all of the uranium originally present. Thorium and rare earth values are readily precipitated from such solution, and the uranium values thus isolated, by the addition of an excess hydrogen peroxide. The pH value of the solution is preferably adjusted to at least 9 prior to the addition of the peroxide.
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-12-010242
- Assignee:
- U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
- Patent Number(s):
- US 2823976
- OSTI ID:
- 4307612
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
METHOD OF PROCESSING MONAZITE SAND
PROCESSING OF MONAZITE SAND