Ultrasonic-assisted dissolution of U3O8 in carbonate medium

Chenxi Hou; Mingjian He; Haofan Fang; Meng Zhang; Yang Gao; Caishan Jiao; Hui He

Nuclear Engineering and Technology (Jan 2023)

Ultrasonic-assisted dissolution of U3O8 in carbonate medium

Chenxi Hou,
Mingjian He,
Haofan Fang,
Meng Zhang,
Yang Gao,
Caishan Jiao,
Hui He

Affiliations

Chenxi Hou: College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, PR China
Mingjian He: College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, PR China
Haofan Fang: College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, PR China
Meng Zhang: College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, PR China
Yang Gao: College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, PR China
Caishan Jiao: College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, PR China; Corresponding author. College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, PR China.
Hui He: Department of Radiochemistry, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, 102413, PR China; Corresponding author. Department of Radiochemistry, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, 102413, PR China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 55, no. 1
pp. 63 – 70

Abstract

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Ultrasound-assisted dissolution of U3O8 powder in carbonate solution was explored to determine if and how ultrasound act during the dissolution. The variation of U3O8 solid particles and uranyl complexes under ultrasound treatment and magnetic stirring was observed in carbonate media. The results show that the use of ultrasound can increase the solubility and dissolution rate of U3O8 powder than that under magnetic stirring. The crush of U3O8 particles and the reduction of the activation energy (Ea, kJ/mol) of U3O8 dissolution reaction were observed, which both play an important role in the ultrasonic-assisted dissolution of U3O8 in carbonate-peroxide solution. Meanwhile, there is no observation of the ultrasound effect on the distribution of uranyl species and hydrolysis of uranyl complexes during the ultrasound treatment in carbonate-peroxide solution. Although the generation of ·OH radicals under ultrasound (22 ± 2 kHz) was observed, the oxidation of ·OH had little effect on the dissolution of U3O8 in the carbonate-peroxide solution system.

Published in Nuclear Engineering and Technology

ISSN: 1738-5733 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Korea, Republic of
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Nuclear engineering. Atomic power
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/nuclear-engineering-and-technology

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