Laboratory studies of aqueous processes for the production of high purity uranium tetrafluoride from Australian leach liquor.

Abstract

A modified form of the Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation (PNC) process for the aqueous preparation of uranium tetra-fluoride from Australian Rum Jungle leach liquor was investigated. The commercially available tertiary amine mixture, Alamine-336, was substituted for the more costly tri-n-octylamine in the amine purification section of the process; the extraction was examined by batch simulation of the countercurrent extraction, washing and stripping stages. Alternative methods for reducing hexavalent uranium to the tetravalent state were examined and results on the use of powdered iron were encouraging. The use of hydrogen reduction appeared even more promising.