URANIUM REFINING WITHOUT SOLVENT EXTRACTION

摘要

Uranium Refining is the process by which undesirable neutron absorbing elements such as Boron (B), Gadolinium (Gd), Dysprosium (Dy), Cadmium (Cd), Europium (Eu), Samarium (Sm) and other metals (Fe, Ni, Co, Ca, Mg etc.) are removed from the yellow cake. Generally, uranium refining is carried out by solvent extraction process, by using organic extractant such as Tri-n butyl phosphate (TBP) diluted with Kerosene. This process generates significant volume of nitrate bearing liquid waste and degraded organic. In order to eliminate the use of hazardous organic and anhydrous ammonia for uranium refining, altogether, a new process using hydrogen peroxide for selective precipitation of uranium from uranyl nitrate solutions has been developed .The precipitate is filtered and washed with DM water to obtain product meeting nuclear purity standards as per ASTM C-753-04.The product is spray dried and calcined to obtain uranium oxide. This process is simple as it integrates refining and precipitation process together. The new process is more environment friendly.