Techno-economic study on reagents consumption during uranium leaching, a case study: Gattar pilot plant, Egypt

Abstract

The techno-economical parameter must be considered during the decision-making stage of project development. In Gattar, results of column leaching indicate that 21.2 and 32g of acid are consumed using an acid concentration of 20 and 40g/l respectively to have a 1% increase in the uranium leachability. Also, 1.0 and 1.8 l solutions using 0.1:1 and 0.2:1 sprinkling intensities are consumed respectively to have a 1% increase in the uranium leachability during the column leaching period. The vat leaching indicates that the 4.1m3 solution and 88kg acid are consumed to have a 1% increase in the uranium leachability after 90 days.