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Selective elimination of natural radionuclides during the processing of high grade monazite concentrates by caustic conversion method

  • Environmental Engineering
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Abstract

This work is directed for removal of the nondesired species (228Ra, 226Ra, 223Ra, 210Pb, Th(IV) and Fe(III)) in the rare earth chloride (RECl3) liquor before separation of Ln(III). The different factors affecting elimination of radium-isotopes, lead (210Pb), Th(IV) and Fe(III) from the RECl3 liquor, have been investigated and optimized. The results indicated that the activity concentration of radionuclides in RECl3 liquor was above the safe limits required during the separation process of Ln(III). Adjustment of pH 3±0.1 leads to eliminate 14±1% of radionuclides and Th(IV), and 40±3% of Fe(III), while 12±1% of Ln(III) was lost. The developed method shows that more than 95% of the nondesired species was selectively removed when the liquor was eliminated by potassium sulfate or sulfuric acid solutions in presence of Ba/Pb-carrier (1: 1). About 20-83% of Ln(III) was lost when the non-desired species removed by sodium or ammonium sulfate or potassium chromate solutions. Fe(III) interfered with Ln(III) when radionuclides and Th(IV) were eliminated by 2.6M H2SO4 in presence of Ba/Pb-carrier. Finally, use of 0.23M K2SO4 or 2.6M H2SO4 was efficient to reduce level of 228Ra, 226Ra, 223Ra and 210Pb to the safe limits in viewpoint of radiation protection. In addition, the interfered Th(IV) and Fe(III) were also eliminated efficiently from RECl3 liquor before the chemical processing of Ln(III).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Analytical Chemistry and Control, Hot Laboratories and Waste Management Center (HLWMC), Atomic Energy Authority, Post Office No. 13759, Cairo, Egypt

    E. H. Borai, E. M. El Afifi & A. M. Shahr El-Din

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  1. E. H. Borai
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  2. E. M. El Afifi
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  3. A. M. Shahr El-Din
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Correspondence to E. M. El Afifi.

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Borai, E.H., El Afifi, E.M. & Shahr El-Din, A.M. Selective elimination of natural radionuclides during the processing of high grade monazite concentrates by caustic conversion method. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 34, 1091–1099 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-016-0350-9

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