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Optimizing Uranium Column Leaching Parameters from Copper Sulphide Factory Tailings

Khanaferi, Khaled | 2024

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 57424 (46)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Energy Engineering
  6. Advisor(s): Outokesh, Mohammad; Zare Tavakoli, Hassan; Davood Goddocynejhad
  7. Abstract:
  8. In this study, the feasibility and optimization of recovering uranium from the tailings of the Meidok copper plant using heap leaching on a laboratory scale were investigated. The initial phase involved evaluating the agglomeration process and stabilizing particles. Parameters such as drum speed, acidity level, coarse-to-fine particle ratio, and residence time were examined and optimized. Following the optimization of the agglomeration process, column leaching tests (heap leaching method) with dimensions of 50 cm in height and 10 cm in diameter were performed. The selection of an appropriate and optimized heap leaching system considered parameters like solution injection rate, pH, and oxidant concentration (〖Fe〗^(3+)). Optimization of these parameters was achieved using RSM software. In the first part of the research, agglomeration experiments were conducted. A total of 270 compressive strength tests on agglomerated samples of 5, 10, and 20 mm sizes were performed. The 5 mm and 20 mm samples did not yield satisfactory results and were excluded from modeling, focusing the experiments on the 10 mm samples. After optimization and modeling, the effects of drum speed, residence time, coarse-to-fine particle ratio, and acid concentration were analyzed. The optimal conditions were: acid concentration of 7.1%, drum speed of 52 RPM, residence time of 13 minutes, and a coarse-to-fine particle ratio of 40:60. In the second part, heap leaching experiments were conducted, and the results for uranium, copper, and iron were analyzed to determine the optimal extraction points for each element. The optimal conditions for maximum uranium extraction (excluding copper and iron) were found to be a solution injection rate of 0.7 mL/min, a pH of 0.56, and an 〖Fe〗^(3+) concentration of 1.2 g/L. For maximum copper extraction (excluding uranium and iron), the optimal conditions were a solution injection rate of 0.68 mL/min, a pH of 0.44, and an 〖Fe〗^(3+) concentration of 1.04 g/L. For minimizing iron extraction (excluding uranium and copper), the optimal conditions were a solution injection rate of 0.54 mL/min, a pH of 1.09, and an 〖Fe〗^(3+) concentration of 0.73 g/L. This optimization focused on maximizing the recovery of uranium and copper while minimizing the recovery of iron. The recovery rates under these conditions were 75% for uranium, 51% for copper, and 5.24% for iron. For overall optimization, the conditions were a solution injection rate of 0.68 mL/min, a pH of 0.86, and an 〖Fe〗^(3+) concentration of 0.18 g/L, yielding predicted recovery rates of 85% for uranium, 52% for copper, and 3% for iron
  9. Keywords:
  10. Heap Bioleaching ; Agglomeration ; Copper ; Leaching ; Uranium Recovery

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