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Investigation of liquid extraction and thermodynamic studies on uranium from sulfate solution by Alamine 336 as an extractant

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Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive study of the liquid–liquid extraction of uranium from 0.2 M sulfuric acid solution by tertiary amine (Alamine 336) and kerosene as an extractant and a diluent, respectively. For this purpose, the effects of operating parameters on the uranium extraction efficiency such as Alamine 336 concentration, contact time, initial aqueous phase pH, sulfate ion concentration, temperature and stripping process by different agents are investigated. The Gibbs energy change (ΔG), enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) have been determined as thermodynamic parameters to prove exothermic and spontaneous reaction. Also, equilibrium constants, reaction equation and stoichiometric coefficients for uranium extraction with Alamine 336 in sulfate medium are specified. The proposed procedure can be applied to the recovery of uranium from low-grade ore processing and from wastewater in the different stages of the nuclear fuel cycle.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Nuclear Science and Technology Organization of Iran for financial assistance in order to prepare the materials and pieces of equipment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Engineering Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

    F. Khanramaki & A. S. Shirani

  2. Nuclear Fuel Cycle Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran, Iran

    J. Safdari & R. Torkaman

Authors
  1. F. Khanramaki
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  2. A. S. Shirani
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  3. J. Safdari
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  4. R. Torkaman
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Correspondence to F. Khanramaki.

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Editorial responsibility: M. Abbaspour

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Khanramaki, F., Shirani, A.S., Safdari, J. et al. Investigation of liquid extraction and thermodynamic studies on uranium from sulfate solution by Alamine 336 as an extractant. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 15, 1467–1476 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-017-1473-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-017-1473-1

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