Extraction of uranium from el-Sella mineralization south eastern desert, Egypt by tri-Octylamine

摘要

A uranyl sulfate leach liquor obtained by uranium leaching of El-Sella sample deposits ore was subjected to uranium extraction using the liquid-liquid technique. Uranium was effectively extracted from sulfate leach liquor by [(10 %) tri-n-octylamine (TOA) dissolved in benzene as a diluent. The extraction efficiency was markedly enhanced as the concentration of TOA increases from 1 to 10 %. The relevant factors controlling the extraction process of uranium using tri-n-octylamine were studied. These factors include the effect of TOA concentration, contact time, and phase ratio (O/A) v/v. The optimum extraction conditions were chosen. More than 98 % of uranium was extracted by 10 % TOA, at contact time 15 min, phase ratio (V_O/V_A) 1/1 and at room temperature. The feasibility of using the TOA for preconcentration-separation of uranium was assessed by stripping studies. The loaded uranium onto TOA has been stripped by 100 % when using 5 % Na2CO3 as an efficient stripping agent at 15 min contact time, and phase ratio (O/A) 1/2. Uranium also stripped using 15% (v/v) sulfuric acid, 15 min contact time and phase ratio (O/A) 2/1.