TY - JOUR
T1 - An investigation on the dissolution of synthetic brannerite (UTi 2O6)
AU - Charalambous, F. A.
AU - Ram, R.
AU - McMaster, S.
AU - Tardio, J.
AU - Bhargava, S. K.
PY - 2013/8/12
Y1 - 2013/8/12
N2 - A number of different uranium minerals are processed in different regions of the world to produce the uranium that is used to generate electricity. The three main types of uranium minerals that are found at the world's largest single uranium bearing ore body at Roxbury Downs, South Australia are uraninite (nominally UO2), coffinite [U(SiO4) 1 - x(OH)4x], and brannerite [U(Ti, Fe)2O 6]. Detailed knowledge of the influence of temperature, [H 2SO4] and [Fe]/solution oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) on the dissolution of uraninite are well known, yet little information on the influence of the aforementioned on the dissolution of brannerite has been reported in the literature. In this study the influence of three key parameters on the rate of synthetic brannerite (UTi2O6) dissolution was investigated. The parameters that were investigated included temperature, [H2SO4] and [Fe(III)]. Of these parameters [H 2SO4] and temperature were found to have the most significant effect on the rate/overall extent of UTi2O6 dissolution under the test conditions used. Tests conducted on synthetic brannerite residues combined with fresh synthetic brannerite showed that decreases in dissolution rates observed during the dissolution of synthetic brannerite were predominantly not due to decreasing brannerite slurry concentration. The significant decreases in dissolution observed were most likely due to one or more of the following: changes in surface composition/surface passivation, changes in surface morphology and/or changes in particle size.
AB - A number of different uranium minerals are processed in different regions of the world to produce the uranium that is used to generate electricity. The three main types of uranium minerals that are found at the world's largest single uranium bearing ore body at Roxbury Downs, South Australia are uraninite (nominally UO2), coffinite [U(SiO4) 1 - x(OH)4x], and brannerite [U(Ti, Fe)2O 6]. Detailed knowledge of the influence of temperature, [H 2SO4] and [Fe]/solution oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) on the dissolution of uraninite are well known, yet little information on the influence of the aforementioned on the dissolution of brannerite has been reported in the literature. In this study the influence of three key parameters on the rate of synthetic brannerite (UTi2O6) dissolution was investigated. The parameters that were investigated included temperature, [H2SO4] and [Fe(III)]. Of these parameters [H 2SO4] and temperature were found to have the most significant effect on the rate/overall extent of UTi2O6 dissolution under the test conditions used. Tests conducted on synthetic brannerite residues combined with fresh synthetic brannerite showed that decreases in dissolution rates observed during the dissolution of synthetic brannerite were predominantly not due to decreasing brannerite slurry concentration. The significant decreases in dissolution observed were most likely due to one or more of the following: changes in surface composition/surface passivation, changes in surface morphology and/or changes in particle size.
KW - Leaching
KW - Synthetic brannerite
KW - Synthetic brannerite dissolution
KW - Uranium
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84881178880&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.hydromet.2013.06.017
DO - 10.1016/j.hydromet.2013.06.017
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84881178880
SN - 0304-386X
VL - 139
JO - Hydrometallurgy
JF - Hydrometallurgy
ER -