Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
Because of low grade of thorium and uranium in the Zarigan mineral deposit, the pre-concentration operation prior to leaching is necessary. From X-ray diffraction analysis results, it was clear that this ore has large amount of other minerals such as Feldespat, Quartz, Hematite, Titanomagnetite, and rare earths. In this paper the thorium enhancement grade in Zarigan deposit by using gravity, magnetic and electrical separations methods is reported. The output of a Jaw crusher was ground to 85 micron by using ball mill. Then about 95% of SiO2 was separated by using shaking table separation. The heavy concentrate of shaking table was processed by a high intensity magnetic separator and then the magnetic concentrate separated by a low intensity magnetic separator. Finally, the non magnetic concentrate of low magnetic separator was processed with the electrical separation. The grades of thorium and uranium in the non magnetic concentrate of low magnetic separator were increased to 4000 and 5000 ppm, respectively where only 15% of the initial feed (ore) was transferred to this concentrate. Therefore, this resulted in a decrease of acid consumption in the leaching processes and the efficiency enhancement of the process. The pre-treatment circuit of this ore was designed as Jaw crusher/ball mill/shaking table/high-magnetic separator/low-magnetic separator/electrical separator, respectively.
Highlights
- 1. Dennis K. Hays, Andrey Mushakov, “Thorium: the fuel of future,” Nuclear Eenergy Review, WWW.Thoriumpower.com, 2 (2006).
- 2. International Atomic Energy Agency, “Thorium fuel cycles: potential benefits and challenges,” Vienna, Australia, 5-20 (2005).
- 3. Fathi Habashi, “A texbook of hydrometallurgy,” Department of mining and metallurgy, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada, 430-440 (1993).
- 4. F.L. Cathbert, “Thorium production technology,” National Lead Compony of Ohio, United State of Amearica, 104-120 (1958).
- 5. B. Parkash, S.K. Kantan, N.K. Rao, “Metallurgy of thorium production,” Atomic Energy Establishment, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 11-27 (1962).
- 6. Barry A. Wills, “Mineral processing technology,” Elsevier, 7 Edition, 345-360 (2003).
- 7. O.B. Richard, “Gravity concentration technology, delelopments in mineral processing,” Vol. 5, Elsevier Science Publisher (1984).
- 8. Fathi Habashi, “Handbook of extractive hydrometallurgy,” Vol. III, Newyork, 1660-1665 (1997).
- 9. R. Vijayalakshmi, S.L. Mishra, H. Singh, C.K. Gupta, “Processing of xenotime concentrate by sulphuric acid digetion,” Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India, Hydrometallurgy 61, 75-80 (2001).
10. M. Gafari, M. Eskandari, “Determination of optimum process of ball mill variables,” Bachelor,s Degree Thesis, Bahonar Uni, Zarand Faculty, 42-50 (2008).
11. Sh. Shahbeik, A. Sam, M. Ranjbar, “Analysis of radiometric data of zarigan aria for exploration of uranium and thorium,” Bachelor,s Degree Thesis, Bahonar Uni, 11-19 (2005).
12. International Atomic Agency, “Uranium procurment,” Vienna, 180-190 (1983).
13. M. Kiaie, A. Sam, K. Nazari, “Uranium and thorium processing investigation in saghand- anomaly 5,” Master Degree Thesis, Bahonar Uni, 45-70 (1379).
14. M. Eskandari, “Optimization of kahnoj titanium pilot plant, magnetic part,” Kahnoj Titanium Project, Iran, Kerman, Kahnoj (2004).
15. M. Eskandari, A. Sam, “Optimization of electrical separation circiut of kahnoj titanium project using taguchi method,” 7th Mininig Engineering Conference, Sahand Uni, Tabriz, 301-309 (2009).
Keywords
- 1. Dennis K. Hays, Andrey Mushakov, “Thorium: the fuel of future,” Nuclear Eenergy Review, WWW.Thoriumpower.com, 2 (2006).
- 2. International Atomic Energy Agency, “Thorium fuel cycles: potential benefits and challenges,” Vienna, Australia, 5-20 (2005).
- 3. Fathi Habashi, “A texbook of hydrometallurgy,” Department of mining and metallurgy, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada, 430-440 (1993).
- 4. F.L. Cathbert, “Thorium production technology,” National Lead Compony of Ohio, United State of Amearica, 104-120 (1958).
- 5. B. Parkash, S.K. Kantan, N.K. Rao, “Metallurgy of thorium production,” Atomic Energy Establishment, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 11-27 (1962).
- 6. Barry A. Wills, “Mineral processing technology,” Elsevier, 7 Edition, 345-360 (2003).
- 7. O.B. Richard, “Gravity concentration technology, delelopments in mineral processing,” Vol. 5, Elsevier Science Publisher (1984).
- 8. Fathi Habashi, “Handbook of extractive hydrometallurgy,” Vol. III, Newyork, 1660-1665 (1997).
- 9. R. Vijayalakshmi, S.L. Mishra, H. Singh, C.K. Gupta, “Processing of xenotime concentrate by sulphuric acid digetion,” Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India, Hydrometallurgy 61, 75-80 (2001).
10. M. Gafari, M. Eskandari, “Determination of optimum process of ball mill variables,” Bachelor,s Degree Thesis, Bahonar Uni, Zarand Faculty, 42-50 (2008).
11. Sh. Shahbeik, A. Sam, M. Ranjbar, “Analysis of radiometric data of zarigan aria for exploration of uranium and thorium,” Bachelor,s Degree Thesis, Bahonar Uni, 11-19 (2005).
12. International Atomic Agency, “Uranium procurment,” Vienna, 180-190 (1983).
13. M. Kiaie, A. Sam, K. Nazari, “Uranium and thorium processing investigation in saghand- anomaly 5,” Master Degree Thesis, Bahonar Uni, 45-70 (1379).
14. M. Eskandari, “Optimization of kahnoj titanium pilot plant, magnetic part,” Kahnoj Titanium Project, Iran, Kerman, Kahnoj (2004).
15. M. Eskandari, A. Sam, “Optimization of electrical separation circiut of kahnoj titanium project using taguchi method,” 7th Mininig Engineering Conference, Sahand Uni, Tabriz, 301-309 (2009).
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