THE SEARCH FOR LOWER COSTS - PROBING THE PROCESSES Columnar Ion Exchange - Resin-in-Pulp - Solvent Extraction

Uranium recovery through column ion exchange (IX) or basket ion exchange (RIP) from sulfuric acid leaching solutions is investigated, highlighting the operational differences between these methods. IX requires clear uranium pregnant solutions, while RIP can process slurries from which sands have been removed, focusing on the role of solid-state ion exchanging resins. The solvent extraction process, described as a liquid ion exchange technique, utilizes either cation or anion exchanging reagents for uranium capture, offering advantages in terms of versatility and tolerance to impurities compared to IX and RIP. This paper notes the necessity for clear solutions when amine reagents are utilized, though organo-phosphate systems exhibit greater tolerance for suspended solids. Although the economic evaluation of solvent extraction relative to other methods is deemed premature due to the limited operational data since the renewed interest commenced in 1955, its potential for simultaneous precipitation and purification during uranium stripping presents significant opportunities for further development. Current applications reveal that sodium carbonate stripping operates effectively alongside the selective precipitation of uranium and vanadium from organic phases. Further research is underway to streamline these processes in optimizing uranium recovery from SX circuits.