Processes for the recovery of uranium from wet-process phosphoric acid using dual or single cycle continuous ion exchange approaches
US10060011B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 2017 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC22C28/00
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In alternative embodiments, the invention provides processes and methods for the recovery, removal or extracting of, and subsequent purification of uranium from a wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange processing approach, where the uranium is recovered from a phosphoric acid, or a phos-acid feedstock using either a dual or a single stage extraction methodology. In both cases an intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is formed. In alternative embodiments, in the dual cycle approach, this solution is contacted in a second continuous ion exchange system with a strong anion exchange resin then subsequently recovered as an acidic uranyl solution that is further treated to produce an intermediate uranyl peroxide compound which is ultimately calcined to produce the final uranium oxide product. In alternative embodiments, in the single cycle case, the intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is evaporated to decompose the ammonium carbonate and produce an intermediate uranium carbonate/oxide solid material. These solids are digested in an acid medium, and then processed in the same manner as the secondary regeneration solution from the dual cycle…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.