Published October 2017 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

Heap bioleaching of uranium from low-grade granite-type ore by mixed acidophilic microbes

Creators

  • 1. East China University of Technology, Jiangxi (China). State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Nuclear Resources and Environment
  • 2. Central South University, Hunan (China). Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment
  • 3. Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Hunan (China)

Description

We evaluated uranium bioleaching from low-grade, granite-type uranium ore using mixed acidophilic microbes from uranium mine leachate. A 4854-ton plant-scale heap bioleaching process achieved sustained leaching with a uranium leaching efficiency of 88.3% using a pH of 1.0-2.0 and an Fe3+ dosage of 3.0-5.5 g/L. Acid consumption amounted to 25.8 g H2SO4 kg-1 ore. Uranium bioleaching follows a diffusion-controlled kinetic model with a correlation coefficient of 0.9136. Almost all uranium was dissolved in aqueous solution, except those encapsulated in quartz particles. Therefore, heap bioleaching by mixed acidophilic microbes enables efficient, economical, large-scale recovery of uranium from low-grade ores. (author)

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
Journal Volume
314
Journal Issue
1
Journal Page Range
p. 251-258
ISSN
0236-5731
CODEN
JRNCDM

INIS

Country of Publication
Hungary
Country of Input or Organization
Hungary
INIS RN
48085633
Subject category
S58: GEOSCIENCES;
Descriptors DEI
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS; BACTERIA; CHINA; GRANITES; IRON COMPOUNDS; LEACHING; ORE PROCESSING; QUARTZ; URANIUM; URANIUM DEPOSITS; URANIUM MINES; URANIUM ORES
Descriptors DEC
ACTINIDES; ASIA; DISPERSIONS; DISSOLUTION; ELEMENTS; GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS; HOMOGENEOUS MIXTURES; IGNEOUS ROCKS; METALS; MICROORGANISMS; MINERAL RESOURCES; MINERALS; MINES; MIXTURES; ORES; OXIDE MINERALS; PLUTONIC ROCKS; PROCESSING; RESOURCES; ROCKS; SEPARATION PROCESSES; SOLUTIONS; TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS; UNDERGROUND FACILITIES

Optional Information

Notes
33 refs.