Separation technology of uranium using inorganic acid for sludge

Ohashi, Yusuke ; Tsunashima, Yasumichi; Tanaka, Yoshio ; Sugitsue, Noritake

Technologies for uranium refining and conversion for production of UF had been developed in Ningyo-Toge environmental engineering center. As a result, a significant sludge like uranium bearing waste and adsorbent was generated. These wastes total 1500 tons. They are dissolved using hydrochloric acid and dissolved uranium is recovered as uranium peroxide. Impurities in uranium peroxide and uranium content were compared with the requirement defined by ASTM. Consequently, highly pure uranium which met the requirement was recovered at low pH. The uranium remaining in the solution was removed using chelating resin in order to decrease uranium radioactivity of the neutralized precipitate that is generated later in the process. It is confirmed that aluminum in the neutralized precipitate is recovered selectively using sodium hydroxide.