Oxidative pressure leaching of uranium minerals - using potassium carbonate-bi:carbonate liquor to improve uranium yield

摘要

In the oxidative pressure leaching of uranium minerals using an aq. (bi)carbonate leach liquor in the presence of free oxygen, the liquor contains KHCO3 and K2CO3 in a wt. ratio of 0-8, the free oxygen is injected into the reaction media at a partial pressure of 0.3-30 bar and the temp. of the reaction media is maintained at 80-160 degrees C. Leaching times are is not 48 hrs. (esp. 0.5-6 hrs.) and iranium yields are about 98% (cf. leaching processes employing Na2CO3 (NaHCO3).