Influence of Exogenous Sulfur and Fe3+ on Bioleaching of Low-sulfur Uranium Ore
Received:November 04, 2020   Revised:November 13, 2020   Accepted:November 16, 2020      Published Online:March 24, 2021
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DOI:doi:10.3969/j.issn.1007-7545.2021.04.013
KeyWord:low-sulfur uranium; bioleaching; Fe3+ concentration; elemental sulfur
              
AuthorInstitution
Wang Shi-jun 东华理工大学
Zhou Zhong-kui 东华理工大学
Ge Yu-bo 东华理工大学
Sun Zhan-xue 东华理工大学
Wang Si-yu 东华理工大学
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Abstract:
      In order to enhance uranium bioleaching of low-iron and low-sulfur uranium ore, adding different concentrations of Fe3+ and elemental sulfur was applied to improve uranium bioleaching rate. Effects of different concentrations of Fe3+ and elemental sulfur on pH value, Eh value, Fe3+ concentration, and uranium concentration during uranium leaching were investigated. The results show that different initial concentration of Fe3+ has a significant impact on uranium leaching rate. Uranium leaching rate is 81.85%,92.61%,89.15%,86.28% and 86.09% respectively with 0 g/L, 1, 2, 3 and 4 g/L Fe3+ addition. The optimum uranium leaching condition is 1 g/L of Fe3+ addition. Furthermore, in 2 g/L Fe3+ system, pH value of 2 g/L elemental sulfur system rises slower than that without elemental sulfur. Leaching rate of uranium in elemental sulfur system obviously rises by 1.63 percent points. SEM-EDS analysis show that specific surface area of ore particles rises due to rough surface of mineral and evacuation of ore structure after bioleaching. Jarosite precipitation is also found in leaching residue; however, jarosite precipitation on surface of uranium ore is obviously reduced in 2 g/L elemental sulfur system.
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