Uranium Extraction via Ammonium Carbonate Leaching and Membrane Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current uranium extraction processes from ore are inefficient, particularly in terms of energy and capital usage, and fail to achieve high purity and recovery of water and leach reagents, with limitations in the use of ion exchange and solvent extraction methods.
Innovation Solution
Integration of ammonium carbonate leach processes with established acid and alkaline uranium leach processes, utilizing advanced multiple stage membrane technologies for separation and concentration, and the selective leach and precipitation properties of ammonium carbonate to extract and purify uranium, minimizing ion exchange and solvent extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional solvent extraction and ion exchange processes are used for uranium recovery, then uranium can be extracted from leachate, but the process requires high energy input and capital investment while failing to achieve high purity and efficient reagent recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the leachate by adjusting pH levels and using ammonium carbonate to precipitate uranium as ammonium diuranate. This chemical parameter transformation enables high-purity uranium recovery (95%+) without requiring the high energy input of conventional solvent extraction processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by precipitating uranium from aqueous solution as a solid precipitate (ammonium diuranate) through chemical reaction. This phase change from dissolved to solid state enables efficient separation and high-purity recovery while consuming minimal energy compared to maintaining continuous liquid-liquid extraction systems
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional solvent extraction and ion exchange processes are used for uranium recovery, then uranium can be extracted from leachate, but the process requires high capital investment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts uranium from complex leachate mixtures through selective chemical precipitation using ammonium carbonate. This targeted extraction method isolates uranium as a distinct precipitate phase, achieving high purity without the complex multi-stage solvent extraction equipment and infrastructure required by conventional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive chemical reagents (ammonium carbonate, sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide) that can be easily handled and disposed of, replacing expensive, complex solvent extraction systems. The reagents work in straightforward batch or continuous operations without requiring sophisticated equipment infrastructure
3Loss of substance
If conventional processes are used, then uranium extraction can be performed, but water and leach reagents cannot be efficiently recovered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers water and leach reagents by filtering the precipitated ammonium diuranate from the liquid phase, then evaporating or concentrating the filtrate to recover unused ammonium carbonate and water. This recovery loop minimizes reagent loss and enables sustainable operation without sacrificing extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous operation by recycling recovered reagents back into the leaching process. The continuous circulation of water and ammonium carbonate through precipitation, filtration, and recovery stages maintains high productivity while minimizing substance loss through efficient resource utilization
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in energy and capital-efficient uranium extraction with high purity, significant concentration of uranium solutions, and recovery of un-reacted reagents and water, reducing the need for solvent extraction and enhancing the efficiency of uranium recovery.
Implementation Method 1
exposing the uranium containing composition to a primary leach reagent and allowing the uranium to be leached from the uranium containing composition to combine with the primary leach reagent and form a leachate
Implementation Method 2
utilizing advanced multiple stage membrane technologies for the separation and concentration of uranium in solution from heavy metals and lighter elements
Implementation Method 3
precipitating the uranium from the leachate solution
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to the integration of ammonium carbonate leach processes with established acid and alkaline uranium leach processes as multifunctional industrial processes for the extraction, high degree purification and conversion of processed or semi-processed uranium as U3O8, UO2, or most tetra or hexa-valent forms of uranium, and where applicable, for the recovery of uranium from uranium ores, using advanced multiple stage membrane based technologies for the separation and concentration of uranium in solution from heavy metals and lighter elements that may be present in the solution, and the selective leach and precipitation properties of an ammonium carbonate leach.