35 New Microsoft PowerPoint Uranium

Uranium Extraction Unit

Phosphate ores occur in Egypt in three main provinces, Western desert (Abu Tartur), Nile valley, and Red sea. In addition there are some phosphate-bearing sediments are present in WadiQena, Wadi Araba, Esh El-Mallana and Sinai

In Egypt, the assured

phosphate reserves are estimated as about

700 million700 million700 million700 million tonstonstonstons while the geological

reserves are calculated as about 3000 3000 3000 3000

million tonsmillion tonsmillion tonsmillion tons. The average assay of uranium

in the Egyptian phosphate ores is

about 60 60 60 60 ppmppmppmppm, consequently, the phosphate

assured reserves are estimated to contain

about 40.000 tons40.000 tons40.000 tons40.000 tons uranium at least.

Chemical Analysis of Different Phosphate Rocks

Average Chemical Composition and Uranium Content of The Main Exploited Phosphate Ores in Egypt

0.651.981.42H2O2.931.342.51F

0.210.450.55Cl

227082U

4.211.450.73SO4

3.969.682.18CO2

6.133.7112.18SiO2

1.732.211.83Al2O3

3.931.232.27Fe2O3

2.261.391.52MgO46.1748.9447.93CaO26.3227.3528.65P2O5

Abu TarturRed SeaNile ValleyConstituent, %

Phosphoric Acid Unit

Cars to bring and return back the acid to the producer.

1. Phosphoric Acid Pretreatment Columns2. First cycle

3. Second Cycle

A. Uranium Extraction UnitB. Uranium Stripping Unit

A. Uranium Extraction UnitB. Uranium Stripping Unit

The first Columns of phosphoric acid treatment ( cooling stage)

It consist of two columns Sand Filter Column and Carbon Filter Column which used for removal of suspended materials and organic matter from phosphoric acid.

Consists of 4 stages for uranium extraction from pretreated phosphoric acid (contains 60 ppm uranium) by using organic mixture (D2EHPA & TOPO in kerosene). Acid flow rate 1 m3/hr and organic flow rate 330 L/hr

FIRST CYCLE

Consists of 3 stages for uranium Stripping from organic phase by using diluted pure phosphoric acid (36 % P2O5).

Consists of 11 stages where 4 stages for uranium extraction fromdiluted acid produced from primary unit and 3 stages for organicscrubbing by using distilled water then 2 stages for uranium stripping by ammonium carbonate and finally 2 stages for washing stripped organic by using sulfuric acid This vacuum filter is used for filtration of loaded acid from primary uranium treatment unit

The problems of the unit� The phosphoric acid is provided with high content of suspended materials and it takes time to remove it� The concentration of provided acid is about 44%. The extraction of the uranium from phosphoric acid is carried out at 28-30% P2O5� The transported acid is somewhat hot� The reduction of U6 to4 is carried out by iron � Scrap which was contaminated the acid� The capacity of the unit is not economic.

The plan for future� Egypt is planning to set up a big complex to treat about 4.5 millions ton of phosphate ore . The phosphoric acid production ( Tonnage) has not been determined.� Some trials are doing to extract uranium from high concentrated phosphoric acid.� Some solvents are tested to examine its efficient to extract uranium.