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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

URANIUM RECOVERY PROCESS

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4330487

A process of recovering uranium from very low-grade ore residues is described. These low-grade uraniumcontaining hydroxide precipitates, which also contain hydrated silica and iron and aluminum hydroxides, are subjected to multiple leachings with aqueous solutions of sodium carbonate at a pH of at least 9. This leaching serves to selectively extract the uranium from the precipitate, but to leave the greater part of the silica, iron, and aluminum with the residue. The uranium is then separated from the leach liquor by the addition of an acid in sufficient amount to destroy the carbonate followed by the addition of ammonia to precipitate uranium as ammonium diuranate.

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-12-014392
Assignee:
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Patent Number(s):
US 2830871
OSTI ID:
4330487
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English