Techno-economic study on reagents consumption during uranium leaching, a case study: Gattar pilot plant, Egypt

The techno-economical parameter must be considered during the decision-making stage of project development. In Gattar, results of column leaching indicate that 21.2 and 32g of acid are consumed using an acid concentration of 20 and 40g/l respectively to have a 1% increase in the uranium leachability. Also, 1.0 and 1.8 l solutions using 0.1:1 and 0.2:1 sprinkling intensities are consumed respectively to have a 1% increase in the uranium leachability during the column leaching period. The vat leaching indicates that the 4.1m3 solution and 88kg acid are consumed to have a 1% increase in the uranium leachability after 90 days.

Analyzing a denitration process in the context of underground well uranium leaching

Purpose is to increase a sorbent denitration degree in the context of underground uranium leaching while optimizing reagent concentration as well as a degree of the solution activation on the basis of laboratory research. Methods. Analysis has been applied as well as scientific generalization of scientific-and-engineering information, laboratory research, statistic processing, and analysis of the research results. The laboratory experiments involved specific mixture to obtain comparative data of sulfuric solution activity and identify optimum degree of the solution activation for denitration. After processing, the solution from activator was analyzed as for its activity; the bulk was poured into a tank for repetitive experiments. First, the research did not involve the solution activation; then, activation with 4-15 minutes was added. Sulfuric acid concentration was 20 and 25 g/dm3; L-S ratio was 1/8; and washing time was 40, 60, and 120 minutes. Findings. Laboratory research results have been demonstrated concerning sorbent denitration in terms of varying degrees of activation, sulfuric acid concentration, and response time. It has been demonstrated that it is sufficient for washing solution activation to activate reagent only before extra intensification of a mother solution resulting in the reduced volume of the solution being processed and costs. It has been determined that five- to nine-minute activation period is the efficient interval factoring into the decreased nitrate content in the sorbent after washing to compare with 9-18% in terms of a basic technique depending upon a reagent concentration. Originality.New dependences of a sorbent denitration degree as well as nitrate content within a solution upon sulfuric acid concentration and the solution activation degree have been defined. Practical implications. Washing solution activation results in the increased denitration degree of a sorbent to compare with the basic technique. The proposed method is more preferable owing to low capital costs. Moreover, it is integrated easily in the available system being also absolutely sustainable. Keywords: denitration, sorbent, sorption, desorption, activation, sulfuric acid, uranium