Khaleal, F. M. ， Kamar, M. S. ， Abu Khoziem, H. A. ， Abdellah, W. M.
2021-10-01 RADIOCHEMISTRY 2021 63(卷), 5(期), (583-594页)
Hydrometallurgical processing of micaceous bands concentrate for recovering U and Th using sulfuric acid agitation leaching was studied. This concentrate assays 4.1% ZrO2, 3.8% Nb2O5, 1.2% RE2O3, 2.8% ThO2, and 0.55% U3O8. The corresponding minerals of these elements include zircon, ferrocolumbite, fergusonite, uranothorite, autunite, and uranophane. About 96% of Th and 94% of U were dissolved under optimum leaching conditions: 30% H2SO4, 1/3 S/L ratio, 4 h leaching time, and 85 degrees C leaching temperature. Di(2-ethylhexyl) hydrogen phosphate (HDEHP) in kerosene was used for U extraction with 90.9% efficiency and its separation from Th in the presence of 0.3 M EDTA solution. Th was then selectively precipitated from the raffinate solution as Th peroxide.