Flocculation and filtration studies on uranium ore slurry using some commercial flocculating agents

Abstract

Liquid solid separation is an important aspect in all industrial operations in general and in hydrometallurgical plants in particular. The vacuum assisted filtration of slurry is now in vogue in most of the hydrometallurgical plants. However the use of flocculants can further improve the efficiency of vacuum filters. In this work effect of flocculants on settling and filtration behaviour of leached uranium slurry was studied. 0.05% (w/v) solutions of a natural gum and a synthetic non-ionic polymer were used in different combinations for settling and filtration of leached uranium ore slurry. Effective dose of flocculants was determined on the basis of best settling, filtration and most crucially soluble hexavalent uranium associated with filtered cake. The soluble hexavalent uranium associated with filtered cake is estimated by fluorometric technique using sodium carbonate and sodium fluoride flux.