Extractive refining of uranium concentrates using urea nitrate

A low-waste flowsheet for extractive refining of uranium concentrates was developed. It involves denitration with urea and the use of the urea nitrate precipitate formed as a source of nitric acid in the extraction process. Implementation of this scheme will reduce the nitric acid consumption by 50–70% owing to its recycling in the extraction process, with the discharge of nitrate ions with wastewater decreased also.