title: Influence of microwaves on the leaching kinetics of uraninite from a low grade ore in dilute sulfuric acid.
abstract: This paper describes a study on microwave assisted leaching of uranium from a low-grade ore of Indian origin. The host rock for uranium mineralization is chlorite-biotite-muscovite-quartzo-feldspathic schist. The dominant presence of siliceous minerals determined leaching of uranium values in sulfuric acid medium under oxidizing conditions. Process parametric studies like the effect of sulfuric acid concentration (0.12-0.50M), redox potential (400-500mV), particle size (600-300μm) and temperature (35°-95°C) indicated that microwave assisted leaching is more efficient in terms of overall uranium dissolution, kinetics and provide relatively less impurities (Si, Al, Mg and Fe) in the leach liquor compared to conventional conductive leaching. The kinetics of leaching followed shrinking core model with product layer diffusion as controlling mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Begumpet, Hyderabad 500016, India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Madakkaruppan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu 624302, India. Electronic address: dranithapius@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anitha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pius
authors.affiliation: Mineral Processing Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, AMD Complex, Begumpet, Hyderabad 500016, India.
authors.forename: Sreenivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: T
authors.affiliation: Mineral Processing Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, AMD Complex, Begumpet, Hyderabad 500016, India.
authors.forename: Nitai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giri
authors.affiliation: Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Begumpet, Hyderabad 500016, India.
authors.forename: Chanchal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sarbajna
keywords: Acid leaching; Leach kinetics; Microwaves; Uranium