Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
In cooperation with the Iranian Nuclear Society

Feasibility study of uranium leaching from phosphate ore

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

D. Ghoddocy Nejad 1
M. Outokesh 2
A. Abdshahi 2
Kh. Khoshnoodi 1
A. Ghadiri 1
M. Akbari 1

1 Nuclear Fuel Cycle Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, P.O.Box: 11365-3486, Tehran – Iran

2 Department of Energy Engineering, Sharif University of Technology , P.O.BOX: 1458889694, Tehran – Iran

https://doi.org/10.24200/nst.2022.1138.1749
Abstract
In this research, the uranium recovery from Zagros region phosphate ore by calcination and acid extraction technology has been investigated. Also, the effect of different parameters on calcination and dissolution of uranium was investigated. The results showed that calcination temperature and calcination time as calcination factors; Also, leaching temperature, dissolution time, ore particle size, acid concentration, and liquid-to-solid ratio are important factors in uranium recovery from ore. Optimum operating parameters were established as follows: calcination temperature: 900 °C, calcination time: 2h; leaching temperature: 80 °C, leaching time: 4h, particle size: smaller than 100 microns, the concentration of sulfuric acid: 4M and liquid to the solid ratio: 3/1 mL/g. Under these conditions, uranium extraction efficiency from phosphate ore of the Zagros region was 84%.

Highlights

  1. USGS (U.S. Geological Survey), Mineral commodity summaries, U.S. Geological Survey, 202 )2017(. https://doi.org/10.3133/701801.

 

  1. P. Heffer, M Prud‟homme, Fertilizer outlook 2016-2020, 84th IFA Annual Conference Moscow (Russia), 7 (June 2016).

 

  1. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Uranium 2011: Resources, Production and demand.

 

  1. H. Sengul, A.K. Ozer, M.S. Gulaboglu, Beneficiation of Mardin Mazidagi (Turkey) calcareous phosphate rock using dilute acetic acid solution, Chemical Engineering Journal, 122(3), 135–140 (2006).

 

  1. S. Komar Kawatra, J.T. Carlson, Beneficiation of Phosphate Ore, Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), USA 80112 (303) 948 4200/(800) 763 3132 (2014).

 

  1. A.-Z.M. Abouzeid, Physical and thermal treatment of phosphate ores, An overview. Int. J. Miner. Process. 85, 59–84 International Journal of Mineral Processing 2008; 85(4), 59-84 (2008).

 

  1. A.-Z.M. Abouzeid, I.S. El-Jallad, M.K. Orphy, Calcareous phosphates and their calcined products, Minerals Science and Engineering, 12(2), 73–83 (1980).

 

  1. Z.I. Zafar, M.M. Anwar, D.W. Pritchard, Optimization of thermal beneficiation of a low grade dolomitic phosphate rock, Int. J. Miner. Process, [CrossRef], 43, 123-131 (1995).

 

  1. A. Watti, M. Alnjjar, A. Hammal, Improving the specifications of Syrian raw phosphate by thermal treatment, Arab. J. Chem., [CrossRef], 9, 637–642 (2016).

 

  1. P. Heffer, M Prud‟homme, Fertilizer outlook 2016-2020, 84th IFA Annual Conference Moscow (Russia), 7 (June 2016).

 

  1. Peir K, Pufahl, Lee A. Groat, Sedimentary and Igneous Phosphate Deposits: Formation and Exploration, An Invited Paper. Economic Geology, 112(3), 483-516 (2017).

 

  1. Report on Uranium Extraction from Phosphoric Acid Produced in Razi Petrochemical Complex, Fuel Department Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, by A. Hashemi, August (1999).

 

  1. D. Ghoddocy Nejad, Uranium extraction from phosphoric acid by new solvent, PN-1200, MS, University of Tehran, (In Persian).

 

  1. K. Nazari, Uranium recovery from phosphoric acid by liquid-liquid extraction method, MS, Amirkabir University, (In Persian).

Keywords

Uranium
Calcination
Leaching
Phosphate ore
  1. USGS (U.S. Geological Survey), Mineral commodity summaries, U.S. Geological Survey, 202 )2017(. https://doi.org/10.3133/701801.

 

  1. P. Heffer, M Prud‟homme, Fertilizer outlook 2016-2020, 84th IFA Annual Conference Moscow (Russia), 7 (June 2016).

 

  1. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Uranium 2011: Resources, Production and demand.

 

  1. H. Sengul, A.K. Ozer, M.S. Gulaboglu, Beneficiation of Mardin Mazidagi (Turkey) calcareous phosphate rock using dilute acetic acid solution, Chemical Engineering Journal, 122(3), 135–140 (2006).

 

  1. S. Komar Kawatra, J.T. Carlson, Beneficiation of Phosphate Ore, Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), USA 80112 (303) 948 4200/(800) 763 3132 (2014).

 

  1. A.-Z.M. Abouzeid, Physical and thermal treatment of phosphate ores, An overview. Int. J. Miner. Process. 85, 59–84 International Journal of Mineral Processing 2008; 85(4), 59-84 (2008).

 

  1. A.-Z.M. Abouzeid, I.S. El-Jallad, M.K. Orphy, Calcareous phosphates and their calcined products, Minerals Science and Engineering, 12(2), 73–83 (1980).

 

  1. Z.I. Zafar, M.M. Anwar, D.W. Pritchard, Optimization of thermal beneficiation of a low grade dolomitic phosphate rock, Int. J. Miner. Process, [CrossRef], 43, 123-131 (1995).

 

  1. A. Watti, M. Alnjjar, A. Hammal, Improving the specifications of Syrian raw phosphate by thermal treatment, Arab. J. Chem., [CrossRef], 9, 637–642 (2016).

 

  1. P. Heffer, M Prud‟homme, Fertilizer outlook 2016-2020, 84th IFA Annual Conference Moscow (Russia), 7 (June 2016).

 

  1. Peir K, Pufahl, Lee A. Groat, Sedimentary and Igneous Phosphate Deposits: Formation and Exploration, An Invited Paper. Economic Geology, 112(3), 483-516 (2017).

 

  1. Report on Uranium Extraction from Phosphoric Acid Produced in Razi Petrochemical Complex, Fuel Department Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, by A. Hashemi, August (1999).

 

  1. D. Ghoddocy Nejad, Uranium extraction from phosphoric acid by new solvent, PN-1200, MS, University of Tehran, (In Persian).

 

  1. K. Nazari, Uranium recovery from phosphoric acid by liquid-liquid extraction method, MS, Amirkabir University, (In Persian).
Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
Volume 44, Issue 3 - Serial Number 105
October 2023
Pages 140-149

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