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A quick method to determine uranium concentration by gamma spectroscopy: Its application for extraction of uranium from wet phosphoric acid

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Abstract

A rapid and accurate method to measure uranium was established using gamma spectroscopy with a high purity germanium detector. This can be done by measuring the gamma radiation intensity at 186 keV which corresponds to the concentration of 235U only since all the 226Ra which also shows a peak at this energy level, remains in the solid phosphogypsum. The method was proved to be accurate when compared with other methods. It has also the advantage of measuring uranium concentrations over a wide range suitable to the operation of the pilot plant for extraction of uranium from wet process phosphoric acid without the need to dilution or concentration. It can also measure the uranium in the different media such as acid, organic or alkaline media found in the pilot plant at different stages.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hydrometallurgy Office, Atomic Energy Commission, Damascus, P.O. Box 6091, Syria

    A. Khorfan, A. Wahoud & W. Rafool

Authors
  1. A. Khorfan
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  2. A. Wahoud
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  3. W. Rafool
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Khorfan, A., Wahoud, A. & Rafool, W. A quick method to determine uranium concentration by gamma spectroscopy: Its application for extraction of uranium from wet phosphoric acid. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 257, 313–316 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024727628214

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024727628214

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