Development of SO_2-O_2 system as an oxidant at uranium leaching processes

摘要

The oxidation of Fe ~(2+) in uranium leaching solutions with gaseous mixture of SO _2 and air has been studied. The variables studied include H _2 SO _4 concentration, temperature, SO _2 concentration and time. The oxidation rate was founded to increase greatly with an increase in the solution temperature. The almost total oxidation of Fe ~(2+) is readily achieved at 95 °C. By appropriately adjusting the temperature of solution and SO _2 /O _2 in the gas, oxidation of ferrous ion and generation of sulphuric acid can be carried out. It was founded that solutions produced by such oxidation processing are very suitable for the uranium ore leaching.