Simultaneous ion-exchange sorption of uranium with concomitant impurities

Abstract

The aim of the study is to elucidate the effect of simultaneous sorption of uranium with different concomitant impurities that are contained in underground leaching solutions (sulfates, chlorides, nitrates, phosphates, silicates, iron, aluminum, and manganese) at pH = 1.2. Different sorption isotherms are studied for the uranium sorption by the strongly basic anion-exchange resin (BO020): (i) uranium and a number of concomitant impurities; (ii) uranium in the presence of the studied impurities. The negative effect of impurities is manifested at low uranium concentrations. With an increase in uranium concentration, the depressing effect of impurities (Al, Fe, Mn) becomes less. The most negative effect is exerted by nitrates in the amount of 0.4 g/L, silicates - 0.3 and 1 g/L, chloride -1 g/L. The phosphorus contributes to better sorption of uranium in the low concentration range of 0.02 to 0.200 g/L but becomes a depressant at higher concentrations.