Abstract:
Described is a process for the refinement of a quartz powder, comprising the step of separating microparticles of refractory minerals, in particular minerals containing rare earth metal compounds, from the quartz powder by an elutriation step.
Abstract:
The invention relates to the use of an organic-inorganic hybrid material, comprising an inorganic solid support on which are grafted organic molecules having the general formula (I) below: in which: x, y and z=0 or 1, with at least one of x, y and z different from 0; m=1 to 6; v and w=0 or 1, with v=1 when w=0, and v=0 when w=1; if x=0, R1═H or a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C1 to C12 hydrocarbon group, whereas, if x=1, R1=a group bound to the inorganic solid support by at least one covalent bond; if y=0, R2═H or a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C1 to C12 hydrocarbon group, whereas, if y=1, R2=a group bound to the inorganic solid support by at least one covalent bond; if z=0, R3═H or a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C1 to C12 hydrocarbon group, whereas, if z=1, R3=a group bound to the inorganic solid support by at least one covalent bond; R4 and R5═H, a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C2 to C8 hydrocarbon group, or a monocyclic aromatic group; for extracting uranium(VI) from a sulfuric acid aqueous solution. The invention also relates to a method that makes it possible to recover the uranium(VI) present in a sulfuric acid aqueous solution, selectively with respect to the other metal cations that may also be present in said solution.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a process for the production of a uranium trioxide yellowcake from a uranium peroxide precipitate, the peroxide precipitate being in the form of a low solids content, uranium rich feed slurry, the process including the stages of: a. thickening the feed slurry to produce a thickener underflow with a solids content in the range of 15 to 50% w/w and a thickener overflow; b. dewatering the thickener underflow to produce a solids cake with a solids content of at least 50% w/w and a dewater overflow; and c. calcining the solids cake at a temperature in the range of 450° C. to 480° C. to produce a calcined uranium trioxide yellowcake.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a method for recovering an acid or a base during a metal extraction process. The method comprises contacting a feed stream comprising the acid or base and the metal with an ultrafiltration membrane to produce an ultrafiltration retentate and an ultrafiltration permeate, and contacting the ultrafiltration permeate with a nanofiltration membrane. The nanofiltration retentate produced comprises a majority of the metal from the feed stream, and the nanofiltration permeate produced comprises a majority of the acid or base from the feed stream. Also disclosed herein is a recovery apparatus for recovering an acid or a base during a metal extraction process.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a process and system for recovery of one or more metal values using solution extraction techniques and to a system for metal value recovery. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a first solution extraction circuit and a second solution extraction circuit. A first metal-bearing solution is provided to the first and second circuit, and a second metal-bearing solution is provided to the first circuit. The first circuit produces a first rich electrolyte solution, which can be forwarded to primary metal value recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which is forwarded to secondary metal value recovery. The second circuit produces a second rich electrolyte solution, which is also forwarded to primary metal value recovery. The first and second solution extraction circuits have independent organic phases and each circuit can operate independently of the other circuit.
Abstract:
A process for the recovery of an organic phase and an aqueous phase from three phase emulsions such as those formed during the extraction of uranium from wet phosphoric acid is described. Such emulsions contain a light-density liquid phase and a heavy-density liquid phase and are stabilized by a solid phase of intermediate density. The emulsion is first heated and then separated into its three components using a centrifugal filter with an appropriate filter aid. At high filter feed rates the dense liquid phase passes freely through the filter media while the light phase liquid begins to accumulate in the centrifuge and is withdrawn from the centrifuge via a properly positioned skimmer tube. The apparatus containing the skimmer tube is also described.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a process to improve the suspended solids removal by the filter cloth used in the clarification of leached uranium ore, comprising contacting the filter cloth with an effective amount of an acrylamide polymer.
Abstract:
Disclosed are a method of manufacturing a uranium target, the method including (a) a step of preparing a conjugate including a matrix and a uranium target green compact formed in the matrix; and (b) a step of performing thermo-mechanical treatment through additional heat treatment at 530° C. to 600° C. during a hot rolling pass in a process of hot-rolling the conjugate, and a method of extracting radioactive Mo-99 using the uranium target.