Abstract
Depletion of uranium ore deposits is leading to a need for more efficient uranium extraction techniques. In this study, gas-phase electric discharge is applied to an aqueous leaching solution dispersed between electrodes as a technique for enhancing acidic extraction of uranium. Application of the electric discharge treatment resulted in a 1.5 to 2.0 times increase in the leaching rate and an improvement in uranium recovery of 4%. The enhanced extraction method was found to involve oxidation of ferrous ions in the acidic aqueous solution by nitrogen-containing ions generated in the spark discharge channels.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 37-41 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Hydrometallurgy |
Volume | 162 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2016 |
Keywords
- Acidic leaching
- Nitrogen oxides
- Oxidation
- Spark discharge
- Uranium
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
- Materials Chemistry
- Metals and Alloys