URANIUM PRECIPITATION PROCESS
A method for the recovery of uranium from sulfuric acid solutions is described. In the present process, sulfuric acid is added to the uranium bearing solution to bring the pH to between 1 and 1.8, preferably to about 1.4, and aluminum metal is then used as a reducing agent to convert hexavalent uranium to the tetravalent state. As the reaction proceeds, the pH rises amd a selective precipitation of uranium occurs resulting in a high grade precipitate. This process is an improvement over the process using metallic iron, in that metallic aluminum reacts less readily than metallic iron with sulfuric acid, thus avoiding consumption of the reducing agent and a raising of the pH without accomplishing the desired reduction of the hexavalent uranium in the solution. Another disadvantage to the use of iron is that positive ferric ions will precipitate with negative phosphate and arsenate ions at the pH range employed.
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-12-006988
- Assignee:
- U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
- Patent Number(s):
- US 2815261
- OSTI ID:
- 4307735
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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