Sorption, desorption and extraction of uranium from some sands under dynamic conditions

Sorption, desorption and extraction behavior of uranium in various fluvial sands of domestic origin were investigated in continuous dynamic column experiments. For the sorption of U(VI) an aqueous 10⁻⁴M UO₂(NO₃)₂ solution was used at a flow rate of about 0,3 cm³/min. Desorption was carried out with demineralized water, and the extraction with 10⁻²M Na₂CO₃ solution following desorption. The retardation coefficients (R) and hydrodynamic dispersion coefficients (D_d), were determined using an ADE equation. From the experimentally determined values of R, bulk density and porosity, the distribution coefficients (K_d) of the UO₂ ² species have been calculated for the respective processes. The extent of U sorption in sands, as well as the proportion of desorbed and extracted U from these sands, was also calculated.