Reengineering of technical-and-technological structure of uranium mine

Substantiation of technological solutions for uranium mining by the method of In-Situ Leach Mining (ISL) under the conditions of the high groundwater pressure. Methods. Analysis of mining-and-geological conditions of the deposit, conducting experimental-industrial works at the experimental unit, and processing data from research results. To increase the efficiency and reduce the expenditures for insitu leach mining of uranium, taking into account the hydrogeological peculiarities of the deposit, experimental works have been conducted using the "pumping wells" technology. Findings. The proposed technology helps to reduce the expenditures for acquiring cable products, submersible pumps (the cost of a more powerful pump is much less than the cost of several ones, which are equal to it in power), for the construction of well heads. The dependences have been obtained of the change in the uranium content in the pregnant solution and the recovery coefficient on the L:S ratio (liquid to solid) using the "pumping wells" technology. With a change in L:S from 0.1 to 0.33, the uranium content in the pregnant solution increases from 5 to 225 mg/l, then its gradual decrease is observed. A change in L:S from 0.9 to 2.2 leads to an insignificant change in the uranium content to 100-120 mg/l. Originality. Based on the research results, the dependences have been obtained of the change in the uranium content in the pregnant solution and the recovery coefficient on the ratio of L:S using the "pumping wells" technology. The recovery coefficient has changed in direct proportion to the L:S ratio, hence, for L:S from 0.1 to 2, the recovery coefficient i ncreases from 1 to 87%. Practical implications. A new technology for uranium mining by the method of underground leaching has been developed, which is characterized by low capital expenditures and producing costs of in-situ leach mining of uranium.

Section: Figure 3 Scheme Of the Technological Units Bindingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the technology of uranium mining under the conditions of high groundwater pressure

Ye.U.¹,

Yussupov²

2020

“…in-situ mining and open pit mining), involvement of mainly hydrogenous genesis deposits, represented by base or lean ore, as well as deposits occurring under the complicated mining and hydrogeological conditions [11], [12]. Until recently, deposits of group two with uraniferous base or lean ore, were not developed using traditional methods on the technical and economic considerations [13], [14]. The crucial economic problem has been largely resolved.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analyzing changes in a leach solution oxygenation in the process of uranium ore borehole mining

Aben¹,

Toktaruly²,

Khairullayev³

et al. 2021

Purpose is to increase uranium content in a PR solution while developing a technique varying oxidation-reduction potential of a leach solution with its oxygenation and identify changes in the oxygenation depending upon sulfuric acid concentration as well as transportation distance of the solution. Methods. A laboratory facility, involving solution tank, pump, Venturi tube, tank to install oxygen analyzer, and a dump tank, has been manufactured under the lab conditions to determine a leach solution oxygenation taking into consideration its delivery rate, sulfuric acid concentration, and temporal preservation of the concentration. Solution flow velocity; the deli-vered solution volume; sulfuric acid concentration; and distance from oxygenation point to a seam changed and varied during the study. Oxygenation was measured with the help of AZ 8403 oximeter; IT-1101 device was used to measure pH value as well as oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). Findings. A technique for a leach solution oxygenation and results of laboratory tests to identify influence of a sulfuric acid as well as transportation distance of a solution on oxygen concentration in the solution have been represented. It has been determined that Venturi tube helps oxygenize a leach solution; in this context, maximum oxygen concentration is achieved if a flow velocity is optimum one. It has been specified that a solution oxygenating depends upon a sulfuric acid concentration decreasing moderately with the increasing distance of the solution transportation. Originality.Following new dependencies have been determined: oxygen concentration in a solution upon a flow velocity and solution volume; and oxygen concentration in a solution upon distance from concentration place and sulfuric acid concentration. Practical implications.A leach solution oxygenation results in the increased oxidation-reduction potential and in the increased content of a useful component in the pregnant solution respectively. The proposed technique is notable for its low capital spending. Moreover, it is integrated easily into the available system being absolutely environmentally friendly.

“…Such an enormous scale of nuclear power industry needs its adequate natural uranium supply. Hence, uranium demand will increase [7], [8]. It can be satisfied at the expense of traditional methods of industrial ore extraction (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analyzing a denitration process in the context of underground well uranium leaching

Yussupov¹,

Aben²,

Omirgali³

et al. 2021

Purpose is to increase a sorbent denitration degree in the context of underground uranium leaching while optimizing reagent concentration as well as a degree of the solution activation on the basis of laboratory research. Methods. Analysis has been applied as well as scientific generalization of scientific-and-engineering information, laboratory research, statistic processing, and analysis of the research results. The laboratory experiments involved specific mixture to obtain comparative data of sulfuric solution activity and identify optimum degree of the solution activation for denitration. After processing, the solution from activator was analyzed as for its activity; the bulk was poured into a tank for repetitive experiments. First, the research did not involve the solution activation; then, activation with 4-15 minutes was added. Sulfuric acid concentration was 20 and 25 g/dm3; L-S ratio was 1/8; and washing time was 40, 60, and 120 minutes. Findings. Laboratory research results have been demonstrated concerning sorbent denitration in terms of varying degrees of activation, sulfuric acid concentration, and response time. It has been demonstrated that it is sufficient for washing solution activation to activate reagent only before extra intensification of a mother solution resulting in the reduced volume of the solution being processed and costs. It has been determined that five- to nine-minute activation period is the efficient interval factoring into the decreased nitrate content in the sorbent after washing to compare with 9-18% in terms of a basic technique depending upon a reagent concentration. Originality.New dependences of a sorbent denitration degree as well as nitrate content within a solution upon sulfuric acid concentration and the solution activation degree have been defined. Practical implications. Washing solution activation results in the increased denitration degree of a sorbent to compare with the basic technique. The proposed method is more preferable owing to low capital costs. Moreover, it is integrated easily in the available system being also absolutely sustainable. Keywords: denitration, sorbent, sorption, desorption, activation, sulfuric acid, uranium