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

Decreasing Molybdenum Content in U3O8 of Bandar Abbas Uranium Plant (BUP) by Stripping, Acidic Sodium Chloride Solution

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Z Moghaddam Fard
S Vartanian
Zh Pur Hoseini
N Pakizvand
A Ghadiri
Abstract
Molybdenum (Mo) content in U3O8 is one of the difficulties in uranium oxide production plant, as contaminant. Several methods have been proposed for reducing Mo from U3O8 process circuit.As a few changes in the process circuit of BUP were aimed, the loaded organic solvent containing uranium and molybdenum were stripped with acidic sodium chloride solution. The current 10% Sodium carbonate solution was substituted by 1.2M NaCl + 0.02M H2SO4 as a new strip solution. This method decreases Mo contents from 96.94 to 4.17 percent. With the proceeding precipitation and the calcination stages, the Mo amounts in U3O8 was reduced from 6.4 to 0.14 percent

Highlights

References:

 

  1. 1.    A. Floreancing, J.P. Cuer, “Separation of Uranium and Molybdenum Using a Solvent,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4363788 (1982).

 

  1. 2.    E.K. Lam, M.G. Neven, R.A. Steane, K.F. Ko, “Removal of Molybdenum from Uranium- Bearing Solutions,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 5229086 (1993).

 

  1. 3.    C. Brassier-Lecarme, P. Baron, J.L. Chevalier, C. Madic, “Acidic organophosphorus solvent extraction process for the purification of molybdenum in tailings from uranium ore treatment,” Hydrometallurgy, Vol 47, 57-67 (1997).

 

  1. 4.    R.J. Jan, A.H. Montgomery, “Process for the Separation and Recovery of Molybdenum and Uranium from Leach Solution Using Ion Exchange,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4375452 (1983).

 

  1. 5.    D. Hietkamp, K. Wagener, “Method for the Recovery of Uranium Dissolved in Sea Water,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4277345 (1981).

 

  1. 6.    E.T. Hollis, H.E. Dixon, “Removal of molybdenum from acid leach liquors by activated carbon,” WIN-53, July 29 (1958).

 

  1. 7.    Laferty, John M., Johnson, L., Burwell, “Recovery of molybdenum and uranium from activated charcoal containing molybdenum and residual uranium,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4199551 (1980).

 

  1. 8.    Merritt; Robert C., “The extractive metallurgy of uranium,” Johnson Publishing Company (1971).

 

  1. 9.    A. Mellah, S. Chegrouche, M. Barkat, “The removal of uranium (VI) from aqueous solutions onto activated carbon: kinetic and thermodynamic investigations,” Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol 296, 434-441 (2006).

 

10. Ceren Kütahyalı, Meral Eral, “Selective adsorption of uranium from aqueous solutions using activated carbon prepared from charcoal by chemical activation,” Separation and Purification Technology, Vol 40, 109–114 (2004).

 

11. G.H. Kuehl, S.H. Sherry, “Method of controlling the molybdenum content of uranium yellowcake,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4304757 (1981).

 

12. H.E. Gardner, “Removal of molybdenum from uranium solutions,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4366126 (1982).

 

13. T.J. Crossley, “Method of removing uranium from a slurry containing molybdenum,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4393028 (1983).

 

14. D.R. Weir, R.M. Berezowsky, “Removal of uranium from sulphate solutions containing molubdenum,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4405566 (1983).

 

15. T.Y. Yan, “Method of precipitating contaminants in a uranium leachate using ferri ions, complexing agent and pH control,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4464345 (1984).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Keywords

Uranium
Molybdenum
Uranium Oxide
Sodium Chloride
Stripping

  1. References:

     

    1. 1.    A. Floreancing, J.P. Cuer, “Separation of Uranium and Molybdenum Using a Solvent,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4363788 (1982).

     

    1. 2.    E.K. Lam, M.G. Neven, R.A. Steane, K.F. Ko, “Removal of Molybdenum from Uranium- Bearing Solutions,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 5229086 (1993).

     

    1. 3.    C. Brassier-Lecarme, P. Baron, J.L. Chevalier, C. Madic, “Acidic organophosphorus solvent extraction process for the purification of molybdenum in tailings from uranium ore treatment,” Hydrometallurgy, Vol 47, 57-67 (1997).

     

    1. 4.    R.J. Jan, A.H. Montgomery, “Process for the Separation and Recovery of Molybdenum and Uranium from Leach Solution Using Ion Exchange,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4375452 (1983).

     

    1. 5.    D. Hietkamp, K. Wagener, “Method for the Recovery of Uranium Dissolved in Sea Water,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4277345 (1981).

     

    1. 6.    E.T. Hollis, H.E. Dixon, “Removal of molybdenum from acid leach liquors by activated carbon,” WIN-53, July 29 (1958).

     

    1. 7.    Laferty, John M., Johnson, L., Burwell, “Recovery of molybdenum and uranium from activated charcoal containing molybdenum and residual uranium,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4199551 (1980).

     

    1. 8.    Merritt; Robert C., “The extractive metallurgy of uranium,” Johnson Publishing Company (1971).

     

    1. 9.    A. Mellah, S. Chegrouche, M. Barkat, “The removal of uranium (VI) from aqueous solutions onto activated carbon: kinetic and thermodynamic investigations,” Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol 296, 434-441 (2006).

     

    10. Ceren Kütahyalı, Meral Eral, “Selective adsorption of uranium from aqueous solutions using activated carbon prepared from charcoal by chemical activation,” Separation and Purification Technology, Vol 40, 109–114 (2004).

     

    11. G.H. Kuehl, S.H. Sherry, “Method of controlling the molybdenum content of uranium yellowcake,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4304757 (1981).

     

    12. H.E. Gardner, “Removal of molybdenum from uranium solutions,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4366126 (1982).

     

    13. T.J. Crossley, “Method of removing uranium from a slurry containing molybdenum,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4393028 (1983).

     

    14. D.R. Weir, R.M. Berezowsky, “Removal of uranium from sulphate solutions containing molubdenum,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4405566 (1983).

     

    15. T.Y. Yan, “Method of precipitating contaminants in a uranium leachate using ferri ions, complexing agent and pH control,” United States Patent, Patent Number: 4464345 (1984).

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


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