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Uranium extraction from sulphuric acid leach liquor by Cyanex®272 as intermediate in nuclear fuel cell

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Abstract

The uranium extraction from sulphate pregnant solution by Cyanex®272 in kerosene diluent was examined. The influence of parameters affecting the extraction mechanism including Cyanex®272 concentrations and equilibrium pH was investigated. At optimized conditions, the extraction efficiency of 97.1 ± 3% U(VI) by 0.3 mol/L Cyanex®272 at 27 ± 2 °C in the equilibrium pH range of 3–4 was achieved from the pregnant solution containing admixtures of 3596.3 mg/L U(VI), 31.47 mg/L Th(IV), 11.01 mg/L Fe(III), 68.70 mg/L Al(III), 7.29 mg/L Mn(II), 0.57 mg/L Ce(IV), 0.49 mg/L La(III), and 0.10 mg/L Pr(IV), respectively. Maximum stripping of U(VI) from the loaded organic phase was achieved using 0.5 mol/L Na2CO3 solution. Finally, uranium from uranyl solution recovered as sodium diuranate (Na2U2O7: 00-064-0473, density = 6.51 g/cm3, melting point = 1654 ± 2 °C) is capable to serve as intermediate in nuclear fuel cell.

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The experimental data in this study shall be provided on request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to sincerely thank Dr. Oliver Rouher and Mrs. Christine Salomon of Cytec Industries, Rungis Cedex, France for their benevolence in supplying Cyanex®272 used in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial Chemistry, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, 240003, Nigeria

    Mustapha A. Raji & Alafara A. Baba

  2. Department of Industrial Chemistry, Ahman Pategi University, Patigi, Nigeria

    Mustapha A. Raji

  3. National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR), Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, 831007, India

    Mustapha A. Raji &  Abhilash

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  1. Mustapha A. Raji
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  2. Alafara A. Baba
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  3. Abhilash
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Correspondence to Mustapha A. Raji or Alafara A. Baba.

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Raji, M.A., Baba, A.A. & Abhilash Uranium extraction from sulphuric acid leach liquor by Cyanex®272 as intermediate in nuclear fuel cell. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 332, 4471–4476 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-09144-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-09144-4

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