INFLUENCE OF THE CHEMICAL DEGRADATION OF TRIOCTYLAMINE DISSOLVED IN NDODECANE MODIFIED WITH TRIDECANOL ON URANIUM EXTRACTION PROCESS IN A PLANT LOCATED IN NIGER

摘要

Solvent losses in hydrometallurgical applications of liquid-liquid extraction are of great concern. In our earlier studies, we reported the chemical degradation of a solvent containing tri-n-octylamine extractant and 1-tridecanol modifier dissolved in kerosene. This solvent extractant is used for the recovery of uranium from sulfuric acid media in a plant located in Niger. Our studies have showed that tri-noctylamine is degraded into dioctylamine via a radical mechanism due to the presence of Vanadium (V). Dioctylamine influences the kinetics of degradation of the extraction solvent and induces the formation of cruds in the presence of Molybdenum (VI). This paper will focus on the impact of dioctylamine on the solvent extraction operation of a uranium production plant.