Uranium Removal Reagent Composition for Carbonate-Rich Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to effectively and efficiently remove uranium from water sources, particularly drinking water, due to the complex chemistry of uranium ions and the detrimental effects of carbonate and calcium ions on removal processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a specific combination of reagents, including an iron(III) salt and a powder comprising alkaline earth carbonate, alkaline earth chloride/nitrate, alkali metal hydrogen carbonate, and alkali metal carbonate, at a pH between 4.5 and 7.0, to form a precipitate that captures uranium ions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional single reagent methods are used to remove uranium from water, then the removal process is simple, but the removal efficiency is insufficient due to the solubility of uranyl cation and complex uranium chemistry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reagents (iron(III) salt, alkaline earth carbonate, alkali metal hydrogen carbonate, and alkali metal carbonate) into a synergistic treatment system. This merging of reagents creates a combined effect that overcomes the limitations of individual reagents, achieving significantly improved uranium removal efficiency despite the increased complexity of the reagent mixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite reagent system comprising multiple chemical compounds working together. The composite nature of the reagent mixture allows different components to address different aspects of uranium chemistry, including pH adjustment, complexation, and precipitation, thereby achieving high removal efficiency that cannot be obtained with single reagents.
2Productivity
If higher concentrations of carbonate ions and calcium ions are added to remove uranium, then the removal efficiency should improve, but according to state of the art these ions are detrimental to uranium removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful effect of carbonate and calcium ions into a beneficial mechanism. By intentionally adding high concentrations of these ions along with iron(III) salt, the system exploits their interaction to form iron carbonate precipitates that effectively adsorb and remove uranium, thus transforming what was considered a detrimental factor into a useful removal mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the water treatment system by adding specific concentrations of carbonate ions and calcium ions in controlled amounts. This parameter change creates optimal conditions for forming precipitates that capture uranium, reversing the conventional understanding that these ions should be minimized for effective uranium removal.
3Productivity
If pH is adjusted to optimize uranium removal, then removal efficiency improves, but the complex chemistry of uranium ions at different pH levels makes optimization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs systematic pH adjustment as a key parameter change to control uranium speciation and facilitate removal. By regulating pH to specific ranges, the system optimizes the formation of uranyl complexes that can be effectively precipitated with the reagent mixture, achieving high removal efficiency despite the complex pH-dependent chemistry of uranium.
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 synergistically removes uranium from water, even in the presence of high carbonate and calcium ions, achieving significant reduction in uranium levels without adverse effects.
Implementation Method 1
adding an iron(III) salt, e.g. an aqueous solution of an iron(III) salt, to the water comprising the uranium source; adding a powder to the water, wherein the powder comprises (i) an alkaline earth carbonate... and forming a precipitate comprising the uranium source
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of removing a uranium source from a water, a kit for removing a uranium source from a water, and a use of a powder comprising (i) an alkaline earth carbonate, (ii) an alkaline earth compound chosen from a chloride and/or a nitrate compound, (iii) at least one alkali metal hydrogen carbonate, and optionally (iv) an alkali metal carbonate in a method of removing a uranium source from a water.