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A kinetic model of UO2 dissolution in acid, H2O2 solutions that includes uranium peroxide hydrate precipitation

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Abstract

Laboratory experiments have been carried out to determine the dissolution kinetics of UO2 in the UO2-H2O2-SO4-H2O system under conditions similar to those which occur during acidin situ leaching of sandstone uranium deposits. UO2 dissolution proceeds by an electrochemical reaction at the UO2 surface. Sulfate ions adsorb onto the UO2 surface and reduce the rate of UO2 dissolution by blocking sites of potential oxidation. UO 2+2 precipitates as insoluble uranium peroxide hydrate (UO4 · XH2O), and under even moderate pH conditions can greatly reduce the UO2 dissolution rate. The overall UO2 dissolution (including UO4 · XH2O precipitation) can be usefully described by a simple kinetic model that considers dissolution and precipitation to be independent processes. The model has the advantage that the dissolution rate at a given temperature is a function only of solution composition and UO2 surface area. The chemical model can thus be easily combined with fluid flow models to obtain a full chemical-physical model of the leaching of uranium ore in a column experiment orin situ.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, 16802, University Park, PA

    L. E. Eary (Graduate Student)

  2. Chevron Oil Field Research Company, 90631, La Habra, CA

    L. M. Cathles (Senior Research Geophysicist)

Authors
  1. L. E. Eary
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  2. L. M. Cathles
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Formerly Associate Professor of Geosciences, Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

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Eary, L.E., Cathles, L.M. A kinetic model of UO2 dissolution in acid, H2O2 solutions that includes uranium peroxide hydrate precipitation. Metall Trans B 14, 325–334 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02654350

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02654350

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