Radium-226 contents and Rn emanation coefficients of particle-size fractions of alkaline, acid and mixed U mill tailings.
Alkaline circuit and mixed, acid and alkaline circuit U mill tailings sampled at an inactive mill site near Monticello, UT, and tailings from an active, acid-leach U mill were separated into particle-size fractions ranging from +10 mesh to -325 mesh by dry and wet separation techniques. The 226Ra contents and 222Rn emanation coefficients of these fractions were determined. Dry tailings show a high degree of aggregation that tends to mask the relation of properties, such as Ra content and Rn emanating power, to dispersed-particle size. Coarse-tailings fractions (+325 mesh) had emanation coefficients which were from 25 to 45% lower than those of their fine-fraction counterparts. Emanation coefficients measured for tailings derived from a salt roast/carbonate-leach process suggest that such are roasting does not lead to reductions in Rn emanation in the tailings derived therefrom.
D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D010316:Particle Size; D011850:Radioactive Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D011851:Radioactivity; D011883:Radium / Q000032:analysis*; D011886:Radon; D014501:Uranium; D014589:Utah
D007220:Industrial Waste; D011850:Radioactive Waste; D014501:Uranium; D011886:Radon; D011883:Radium