Low-Energy Processing of a Local Boltwoodite Ore as Intermediate in Nuclear Fuel Cell

The industrial demand for pure uranium and uranium compounds is tremendously increasing due to its wide array of utilities most especially in nuclear industries. Consequently, the treatment of a local boltwoodite ore containing albite (Na_2.00Al_2.00Si_6.00O_16.00: 96-900-1634), boltwoodite (Na_2.00K_2.77U_3.00Si_6.00O_9.00H_4.00: 96-900-7219), thorite (Th_4.00Si_4.00O_16.00: 96-900-7625), and quartz (Si_6.00O_6.00: 96-900-5019) was examined in sulphuric acid media. The experimental parameters such as leachant concentration, reaction temperature, and particle size on uranium ore dissolution were investigated. At optimal leaching conditions (2.5 mol/L H₂SO₄, 75 °C, and 75 µm), an 89.1% dissolution rate was achieved within 120 min. The estimated activation energy of 20.70 kJ/mol supported the diffusion control reaction mechanism as the rate-determining step. The leach liquor obtained at established conditions was further beneficiated to produce an industrial grade sodium diuranate (Na₂U₂O₇: 00-064-0473, density = 6.51 g/cm³, melting point = 1654 ± 2 ℃) proposed to serve as intermediate raw-material in a nuclear fuel cell.