Open AccessREFINING OF MgX AND OTHER URANIUM-BEARING MATERIALS. Quarterly Progress Report
Author(s) -
R.A. Ewing,
Samuel J. Kiehl,
Ryan Sharpe,
A.E. Bearse
Publication year - 1951
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/4149208
Subject(s) - refinery , extraction (chemistry) , ether , refining (metallurgy) , salt (chemistry) , uranium , chemistry , nuclear chemistry , materials science , waste management , metallurgy , chromatography , organic chemistry , engineering
Investigations on problems related to the use of MgX and other feed materials in the Plant 6 U refinery at St. Louis, Mo., have continued, with emphasis on the extraction of process feeds by neutral ether. Results of Scheibel column extraction tests wtth neutral ether on a variety of pitchblende, MgX, and V-20 soda salt feed materials indicate that the addition of Fe to complex interfering elements can reduce U losses in raffinates to lower levels than are attainable with acid ether in the absence of Fe. The beneficial effect of neutral ether on transfer of contaminants, especially Mo, to the ether extract was substantiated. It is indicated that the inclusion of V-20 soda salt in a feed tends to increase U losses in extraction; the addition of Fe was shown to be advantageous here also. Sources and costs of added Fe are considered. (G.Y.