Evaluation of Selected Neutralizing Agents for the Treatment of Uranium Tailings Leachates: Laboratory Progress Report.

摘要

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of selected neutralizing agents for the treatment of uranium tailings Solutions. Highly acidic tailings solutions (pH<2) from the Lucky McMill in Gas Hills, Wyoming and the Exxon Highlands Mill near Casper, Wyoming were neutralized to pH of 7 or greater using seven neutralizing agents. Evaluation of the effectiveness for the treatment of uranium tailings solutions for the selected neutralizing agents under controlled laboratory conditions was based on three criteria. The criteria are: (1) treated effluent water quality, (2) neutralized sludge handling and hydraulic properties, and (3) reagent costs and acid neutralizing efficiency. On the basis of these limited laboratory results calcium hydroxide or its dehydrated form CaO (lime) appears to be the most effective option for treatment of uranium tailings solutions.