MODELING OF THE SOLVENT EXTRACTION EQUILIBRIUM OF URANIUM (VI) SULFATE WITH ALAMINE 336

The present study investigated the solvent extraction of uranium from sulfate acid solutions using Alamine 336 as an extractant dissolved in commercial kerosene Exxsol D-100 and 5% v/v of tridecanol as a modifying agent at room temperature (25±2) ºC and an aqueous/organic volumetric ratio of unity. Experiments were carried out at typical concentration levels like those used at the uranium plant of INB (Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil), Brazil. Data fitting using the slope analysis method revealed that uranium is extracted by Alamine 336 as UO₂SO₄ and UO₂(SO₄)₂^2- species, forming (R₃NH⁺)₂UO₂(SO₄)₂^2- in the organic phase; the extraction of the species UO₂(SO₄)₃^4- seems improbable for the operating conditions investigated. The extraction of uranium is significantly reduced when the concentrations of sulfate and chloride ions in the aqueous phase are increased.

Keywords:
Solvent extraction; Uranium sulfate; Alamine 336; Equilibrium

Authorship

É. C. Avelar

Departamento de Engenharia Metalúrgica e de Materiais, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Pampulha, CEP: 31270-901, Belo Horizonte - MG, Brazil. Phone: +55 (31) 3409-1811; Fax: +55 (31) 3409-1715Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisBrazilBelo Horizonte, MG, BrazilDepartamento de Engenharia Metalúrgica e de Materiais, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Pampulha, CEP: 31270-901, Belo Horizonte - MG, Brazil. Phone: +55 (31) 3409-1811; Fax: +55 (31) 3409-1715

C. L. G. Alvarenga

Centro de Desenvolvimento de Tecnologia Nuclear, (CDTN) - CNEN, Campus UFMG, Pampulha, P.O. Box: 941, CEP: 30123-970, Belo Horizonte - MG, Brazil. Phone: +55 (31) 3069-3277; Fax: +55 (31) 3069-3399Centro de Desenvolvimento de Tecnologia NuclearBrazilBelo Horizonte, MG, BrazilCentro de Desenvolvimento de Tecnologia Nuclear, (CDTN) - CNEN, Campus UFMG, Pampulha, P.O. Box: 941, CEP: 30123-970, Belo Horizonte - MG, Brazil. Phone: +55 (31) 3069-3277; Fax: +55 (31) 3069-3399

G. P. S. Resende

C. A. Morais

M. B. Mansur ^** E-mail: marcelo.mansur@demet.ufmg.br ^** To whom correspondence should be addressed

* E-mail: marcelo.mansur@demet.ufmg.br

* To whom correspondence should be addressed

SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

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