The precipitation of radioactive radium-226 from acidic chloride leach liquors with barium chloride

The conventional barium chloride (BaClsub(2)) precipitation has been effective in the 99+ percent removal of radium-226 as radium-barium sulphate [RaBa(SOsub(4))sub(2)] sludge, from HCl liquors produced by laboratory and pilot leaches of Canadian uranium ores. Radium-226, due to its low-level radiation characteristics, is removed as it has been identified as an environmental and long-term health problem. The formation of the RaBa(SOsub(4))sub(2) sludge was aided due to adequate sulphate (SOsub(4)) concentrations in the HCl pilot liquors produced. Recyclable Rasup(226) concentrations of about 66 pCi/L, in treated effluents, will cost about 1/10 that of effluents below federal environmental guidelines of 10 pCi Rasup(226)/L. Toxic barium (Ba) will potentially build up in effluents as recyclable Rasup(226) concentrations around 66 pCi/L. Barium, in addition to being added to liquors as BaClsub(2) precipitant, is present in the radioactive ore and HCl leach liquors