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Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies of Uranium and REEs Leaching by Oxalic Acid from Abu-Tartur Phosphate Rock, Western Desert, Egypt

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Abstract

Leaching of uranium and REEs with oxalic acid from the Egyptian Abu-Tartur phosphate rock (PR) was studied. The effect exerted on the leaching process by oxalic acid concentration, agitation time, solid to liquid ratio, and leaching temperature was determined. The leaching kinetics of uranium and REEs were evaluated by the shrinking core model. The uranium and REEs leaching kinetics is controlled by diffusion through the fluid film. The activation energy is 5.9 kJ/mol for U and 5.3 kJ/mol for REEs. Equations describing the leaching kinetics were obtained. The optimum conditions are oxalic acid concentration of 0.5 M, agitation time of 2 h, solid to liquid ratio of 1/4, and temperature of 70°C. Under these conditions, the degree of leaching of uranium and REEs reached 92 and 81%, respectively.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Materials Authority, El Maadi, 11742, Cairo, Egypt

    A. R. Bakry, M. D. Hashim & A. M. Elwy

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  1. A. R. Bakry
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  2. M. D. Hashim
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  3. A. M. Elwy
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Bakry, A.R., Hashim, M.D. & Elwy, A.M. Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies of Uranium and REEs Leaching by Oxalic Acid from Abu-Tartur Phosphate Rock, Western Desert, Egypt. Radiochemistry 62, 359–367 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S106636222003008X

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