Effect of entrapment of acids on decreasing uranium content and impurity in the process effluent

The recovery of uranium in the effluent process can be done successfully when the concentration of bully acids should be reduced or eliminated. The process effluent contains uranium and other acid complexes. To identify the acid complexes in the effluent several reagents are added step-wisely the solutions of AgNO₃, Pb(NO₃)₂, Ba(NO₃)₂ in accordance to standard qualitative chemical analysis. It has been identified that the effluent contains Cl^-, CO₃⁼, PO₄^-3, C₂O₄⁼ complexes that should be eliminated. Meanwhile, the concentration of NO₃^- complex should be dectructed and SO₄⁼ complex should be lowered. The results obtained in the form of a white precipitates coming from AgCl, Ag₂CO₃, Ag₂C₂O₄, Ag(PO₄)₃, PbCl₂, PbCO₃, PbC₂O₄, Pb₃(PO₄)₂, BaCO₃, BaC₂O₄ , and Ba₃(PO₄)₂. By using the formaldehyde solution as the destructant the nitric acid content in the effluent can be reduced from 4.35 N into 2.89 N. The analyses results of the uranium content in the effluent process decreased from 600 ppm to 425 ppm or decrease about 29.17 % due to the part of the uranium entrapped in the sediment. The analytical results of the impurity contents in the effluent fulfils the maximum threshold permitted as the feed for further chemical conversion process. (author)