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The pyro- and hydrometallurgical processing of uranium-containing waste

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  • Waste Treatment & Minimization
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Abstract

As large amounts of uranium-containing (both high and low-level) waste are generated from activities such as fuel fabrication, fuel reprocessing, and R&D, concern is growing over the safe disposal of these radioactive materials. Over the past few decades, numerous disposal options have been investigated, including pyrometallurgical high-temperature fusion/vitrification, hydrometallurgical processing, biological remediation, polymerization, clay back-filling, and zeolite adsorption. This paper reviews the techniques, thermodynamics, and kinetic aspects of processing uranium-containing waste. In particular, the removal of uranium waste by zeolite adsorption and mechanisms are discussed. In addition, the pyro- and hydrometallurgical conceptual flow sheet is proposed for the disposal of uranium-containing waste.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

    R. G. Reddy (the ACIPCO Chair Professor)

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  1. R. G. Reddy
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For more information, contact R.G. Reddy, The University of Alabama, A-129 Bevill, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0202; phone: (205) 348-4246; fax: (205) 348-2164; e-mail: rreddy@coe.eng.ua.edu.

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Reddy, R.G. The pyro- and hydrometallurgical processing of uranium-containing waste. JOM 53, 21–24 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-001-0157-x

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