Uranium separation method from carbonate nature solutions

For the analytical and preparative uranium evolution from weakly alkaline (pH = 7.5 - 8.5) carbonate-containing solutions of complex composition, sorption is suggested to be carried out on macroporous microspherical silice. The kinetics and mechanism of uranium sorption at the temperatures from 9.3 deg to 50 deg C have been investigated at different uranium concentrations in the starting solution containing 0.7 g-equiv/l NaCl and 0.0018 g-equiv/l Na2CO3. The mechanism of uranium sorption with the formation of uranyl hydrosilicate on the sorbent surface has been suggested. A relation has been found between the sorption temperature, the initial uranium concentration and the equilibrium coefficient of uranium distribution. The technique of the columnar evolution of uranium has been developed, which has been tested on the carbonate-containing solutions of different salt compositions