Uranium ion exchange from low-grade acidic solutions in a fluidized system

Using a fluidized, countercurrent multiple-compartment ion-exchange (MCIX) column previously developed by the Bureau of Mines, Bureau researchers have successfully extracted uranium from a simulated acidic in situ leach liquor that contained 150 ppM U/sub 3/O/sub 8/. This successful demonstration of the MCIX system is reported, and the effects of varying the operating conditions on the performance of the system are also examined. Operating the MCIX system with a flow rate of 15 gpm/ft/sup 2/ and an aqueous-to-resin flow ratio of 200:1, more than 90% of the uranium was extracted, and a resin containing approximately 28 grams U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ per liter was produced. The absorption column used to investigate the operating variables was approximately 18 feet long with a 2-inch ID and was divided into compartments that were 1 foot long.