Uranium adsorption using iron-titanium mixed oxides separated from limonite mineral, black sands, Rosetta, Egypt

Abstract EN

The alkaline treatment of ilmenite by concentrated KOH has been investigated to form ilmenite paste.

This paste was then leached using hydrochloric acid.

The effects of acid concentration (M), S:L ratio, leaching time and temperature on the leaching of iron efficiency (%) were studied.

The data reveals that the best conditions for hydrochloric acid leaching of iron was 6M HCl acid, S: L ratio of 1:6 and 120 min.

leaching time at 80º C leaching of ilmenite paste.

The obtained product showed 90.2 % iron and 9 % TiO2 could be presented under optimum conditions when using 6M HCl.

The sorbent was prepared by adding iron - titanium oxides to 2.5N NaOH solution in a water bath at 50º C.

This sorbent was tested for adsorption of U (VI), the parameters affecting the adsorption and elution of U (VI) include; uranium concentration (ppm), contact time, pH, temperature, uranium: sorbent ratio and type of eluant.

The obtained results showed that the best adsorption conditions for sorbent are; 400 ppm U (VI) as suitable concentration, 60 min.

contact time, pH 9.0, uranium solution: sorbent ratio 25:1 (ml /g) , at room temperature and 3M HNO3 eluant.

Therefore, the ilmenite mineral can be exploited to get a product for adsorption of uranium.

Equilibrium models (Langmuir and Freundlich) can be applied to determine the capacity of the prepared sorbent for uranium.