Removal of uranium from sulfate leach liquor of salcrete deposits using tri-n-octyl amine

A uranyl sulfate leach liquor obtained by uranium leaching of a technological sample of salcrete deposits of Gabal Qatrani ore was subjected to uranium extraction using the liquid–liquid technique. Uranium was effectively extracted from sulfate leach liquor by [(10 %) tri-n-octylamine (TOA)] dissolved in xylene as a diluent. The extraction efficiency was markedly enhanced as the concentration of TOA increases from 1 to 10 %. The relevant factors controlling the extraction process of uranium using tri-n-octylamine were studied. These factors include the effect of diluents used, TOA concentration, contact time, settling time and phase ratio (O/A) v/v. The optimum extraction conditions were chosen. Stripping of uranium from the loaded TOA has been carried out using 5 % Na₂CO₃ as an effective stripping agent. More than 97 % of uranium was extracted by 10 % TOA, at contact time 10 min, settling time 5 min, phase ratio (V_O/V_A) 1/1 and at room temperature. The feasibility of using the TOA for preconcentration-separation of uranium was assessed by stripping studies. The loaded uranium onto TOA has been stripped by 100 % when using 5 % Na₂CO₃ as an efficient eluting agent at 15 min contact time, 5 min settling time and phase ratio (O/A) 2/1.     

Analytical Methods for Determining the Concentration Ratio in Mixtures of Trioctylphosphine Oxide and Di(2-Ethylhexyl)Phosphoric Acid

Abstract

Analytical methods are described for determining the concentration ratio of trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D₂ EHPA) in hydrocarbon solvents or in mixtures where the D₂ EHPA is the solvent. The Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) method was used to analyze the mixtures for the relative amounts of phosphine oxide-phosphorus to phosphoric acid-phosphorus as well as the variance with the mixture composition of the Ols/P2p signal intensity. The nmr signal strength of the protons of the oxymethylene group of the D₂ EHPA and the signal strength of the other protons of D₂ EHPA and TOPO were measured in solutions of varying concentrations of D₂ EHPA and TOPO. Mass spectral comparisons of the molecular ion strengths of TOPO and D₂ EHPA were also correlated with mixture composition.     

Synergistic extraction of copper(II) from sulfate medium with capric acid and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide in chloroform

The synergistic solvent extraction of copper(II) from 0.33?mol?dm^?3 Na₂SO₄ aqueous solutions with capric acid (HL) in the absence and presence of tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in chloroform at 25°C has been studied. The extracted species when capric acid was used alone is CuL₂(HL)₂. In the presence of TOPO, the extracted complex is CuL₂(HL)₂(TOPO). The TOPO–HL interaction strongly influences the synergistic extraction efficiency. The extraction constants were calculated.     

Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopic determination of rare earth elements in geological samples after preconcentration by countercurrent chromatography—Part II

This paper directly links up with Part I [Spectrochim. Acta 48B, 1365 (1993)] which treats the first application of countercurrent chromatography (CCC) for pre-separation of rare earth elements (REE) in rocks. The rapid and reliable separation and pre-concentration of “light” REE and Y can be achieved using a system of 0.5 mol/l di-2-ethylhexylphosphoric acid (D2EHPA) in n-decane-hydrochloric acid of different concentrations and a planetary centrifuge as a CCC device. However, Tm, Yb and Lu are partially retained in the stationary phase. Comparative data is presented on three other two-phase liquid systems containing trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO); D2EHPA and TOPO mixtures and diphenyl(dibutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine)oxide (Ph₂-Bu₂) as extractants in terms of their ability for whole REE group complete isolation from the rock constituents. The partial losses of “light” REE (La and Ce) occurred in the system of 0.1 mol/l solution of TOPO in isobutylmethylketone (IBMK) (stationary phase)-1 mol/l NH₄NO₃-6 mol/l HCl aqueous solutions (mobile phase). Complete isolution of the entire REE group can be reached in two systems: 0.3 mol/l D2EHPA + 0.02 ml/l TOPO in the solvents mixture (3:1) of n-decane + IBMK, respectively (stationary phase)-1 mol/l NH₄NO₃-6 mol/l HCl aqueous solution (mobile phase), and 1.0 mol/l Ph₂-Bu₂ solution in chloroform (stationary phase)-3 mol/l HNO₃ aqueous solution (mobile phase). The D2EHPA + TOPO mixture is recommended as more economic and accessible.     

Solvent extraction of zinc from sulphate leaching solution of a sulphide-oxide sample using D2EHPA and Cyanex 272

Solvent extraction of zinc from sulphate leach solution obtained from the treatment of a sulphide-oxide sample, was investigated using D2EHPA and Cyanex 272 diluted in kerosene in a batch reactor. According to the results, D2EHPA exhibited the higher extraction efficiencies than Cyanex 272 at the organic/aqueous ratio of 1:1. The optimum concentration and pH for D2EHPA and Cyanex 272 were distinguished to be 0.5?mol/L and 2.5, and 0.035?mol/L and 3.5, respectively. Under these conditions, extraction efficiency was found to be ～75% for D2EHPA against 41% for Cyanex 272. The plot of log D versus log [D2EHPA] confirmed the presence of 1 mole D2EHPA in dimeric form for 1 mole Zn in the extraction system. Thermodynamic data showed that the zinc extraction process is endothermic. For D2EHPA, two-stage simulated counter-current extraction experiments were performed on the basis of the McCabe-Thiele diagram and the extraction percentage of zinc was found to be about 88%. The synergistic effect of Cyanex 272 and TBP with D2EHPA was particularly investigated. It was found that the mixture of 80% D2EHPA and 20% Cyanex 272 exhibited the best synergistic effect for Zn-extraction with a synergistic coefficient of 1.04.     

Solvent extraction of uranyl by N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctylsuccinylamide from nitric acid solution

Synthesis and characterization of N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctylsuccinylamide (TOSA) was carried out and used for extraction of U(VI) from nitric acid solutions. The effect of different factors affecting the extraction distribution ratio (TOSA concentration, concentrations of nitric acid, salting-out agent LiNO₃ concentration, equilibration time, temperature and effect of diluents) have been investigated. The results obtained indicated that TOSA have a great capability to extract uranyl with kerosene-1,3,5-trimethylbenzene than other diluents, it have a high extraction distribution ratios when the concentration of TOSA is lower and not found the third matter. It was found that the main extracted species is UO₂(NO₃)₂·TOSA. The apparent equilibrium constant of extraction determined is (2.32 ± 0.31) L³/mol³ at (298 ± 1) K. The enthalpy of extraction is ?35.20 ± 0.352 kJ/mol.     

Solvent extraction of uranium from lean grade acidic sulfate leach liquor with alamine 336 reagent

This paper describes the solvent extraction studies carried out on an acidic low assay uranium bearing leach liquor generated during sulfuric acid leaching of a refractory uranium ore using alamine 336?Cisodecenol?Ckerosene reagent combine. The leach liquor has a U₃O₈ content of about 270?mg/L, free acidity 2.4?N H₂SO₄ and total dissolved solids concentration of 260?g/L. Process parameteric variation studies indicated strong influence of free acidity of the leach liquor, alamine 336 concentration and aqueous to organic phase ratio on the extraction efficiency of uranium. An extraction efficiency of about 95% was achieved when the free acidity of leach liquor was 1?N H₂SO₄ or lower, using 2% (v/v) alamine 336 at ambient temperature with an aqueous to organic phase ratio of 1:1. The loading capacity under these conditions was 1.2?g/L of U₃O₈. About 98% of the uranium values could be stripped from the loaded organic using 1?N NaCl in 0.2?N H₂SO₄. The solvent extraction studies aided in developing a suitable process flowsheet for treating refractory uranium ores which need high acidity during leaching and relatively lower acidity for purification by solvent extraction.     

Liquid–liquid extraction of uranium from Egyptian phosphoric acid using a synergistic D2EHPA–DBBP mixture

Extraction of uranium from Egyptian phosphoric acid with synergistic mixture of di-2-ethylhexylphosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and di-butyl butyl phosphonate (DBBP) is reported in this paper. The influence of various factors such as D2EHPA concentration, DBBP concentration, phosphoric acid concentration, contact time, aqueous: organic phase’s ratio (aq:org) and temperature on the degree of extraction has been established. The data on the effect of temperature on the extraction showed that the enthalpy change is −23.12 kJ/mol. Uranium extracted by D2EHPA–DBBP is further subjected to a second cycle of extraction and scrubbing impurities. The uranium is finally converted to a high purity UO₃ product using precipitation with hydrogen peroxide and heat treatment at 375 °C.     

Synergistic extraction of uranium(VI) with tri-n-butyl phosphate and i-butyldodecylsulfoxide

Summary The synergistic extraction of uranium(VI) from aqueous nitric acid solution with a mixture of tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) and i-butyldodecylsulfoxide (BDSO) in toluene was investigated. The effects of the concentrations of extractant, nitric acid, sodium nitrate and sodium oxalate on the distribution ratios of uranium(VI) have been studied. The values of enthalpy change for the extraction reactions with BDSO, TBP and a mixture of TBP and BDSO in toluene were -23.2±0.8 kJ/mol, -29.2±1.4 kJ/mol and -30.6±0.6 kJ/mol, respectively. It has been found that the maximum synergistic extraction effect occurs when the molar ratio of TBP to BDSO is close to 1. The composition of the complex of the synergistic extraction is UO₂(NO₃)₂ ^. BDSO ^. TBP.     

Dissociation energies of O–H bonds in alkylseleno- and alkyltelluro-substituted phenols

The O?H bond dissociation energy (D _O?H) has been determined for eight alkylseleno-substituted phenols, one alkyltelluro-substituted phenol, and one alkyltelluro-substituted pyridinol. D _O?H has been estimated by the intersecting-parabolas method from kinetic data using five reference compounds: α-tocopherol (D _O?H = 330.0 kJ/mol), 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol (D _O?H = 347.6 kJ/mol), 4-methylphenol (D _O?H = 361.6 kJ/mol), 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylthiophenol (D _O?H = 336.3 kJ/mol), and 2,6-di-ter-tbutyl-4-methylphenol (D _O?H = 338.0 kJ/mol). The following D _O?H values (kJ/mol) have been obtained: 335.9 for 2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-phytyl-6-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzoselenopyran, 342.6 for 2-methyl-5-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzoselenophene, 333.5 for 2,4,6,7-tetramethyl-5-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzoselenophene, 339.4 for 2-tert-butyl-4-methoxy-6-octylselenophenol, 357.9 for dodecyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propyl selenide, 348.5 for dodecyl 3-(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propyl selenide, 350.9 for dodecyl 3-(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propyl selenide, 338.0 for dodecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propyl selenide, 343.0 for 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-(tellurobutyl-4′-phenoxy)phenol, and 338.8 for 6-octyltelluro-3-pyridinol. The stabilization energies of phenoxyl radicals containing R substituents (X = O, S, Se, Te) have been compared.     

Extraction of gadolinium from El-Garra El-Hamra rare-earth cake,South Western Desert,Egypt

The study area of El-Garra El-Hamra is one of the igneous masses located in the southern part of the Western Desert of Egypt. This work has been carried out to investigate the process of gadolinium separation from REEs cake obtained from El-Garra El-Hamra ore concentrate. It is considered as a new approach in the Nuclear Materials Authority of Egypt. Firstly; the optimum leaching conditions achieved are 200 gm/L H₂SO₄, 1/2 solid/liquid ratio, 4 h agitation time,?125 mesh size and at 90 ^°C temperature. Then by solvent extraction method using 1 mol/L D2EHPA middle REEs were extracted. The organic extractant was stripped by using 2 mol/L HCl and Gd pregnant solution was obtained. Then, the relevant optimum factors were 0.3 mol/L D2EHPA diluted by kerosene, 10 min contact time, and 4/1 organic/aqueous ratio giving 87 % Gd extraction. Then, the scrubbing of the loaded extractant was by 1 mol/L HCL followed by Gd stripping using 5 M HCl, contact time of 30 min and 1/3 organic/aqueous ratio. The strip solution was subjected to evaporation and little amount was dried to obtain GdCl₃ powder having a purity of about 81 % associated with YCl₃ 4 %.     

Mechanisms of oxygen adsorption and desorption on polycrystalline palladium

The adsorption and desorption of oxygen on a polycrystalline palladium (Pd(poly)) surface (10-to 100-μm crystallites; ～32% (100), ～18% (111), ～34% (311), and ～15% (331)) at P _O2 ≤ 1.3 × 10^?5 Pa and T = 500–1300 K have been studied by TPD and mathematical modeling. The kinetics of O₂ adsorption and desorption on Pd(poly) are primarily governed by the formation and decomposition of oxygen adsorption structures on the (100) and (111) crystallite faces. The O₂ adsorption rate is constant at ? ≤ 0.15–0.25 owing to the formation of the p(2 × 2) structure with an O_ads-surface bonding energy of D(Pd-O) = 364 kJ/mol on the (100) and (111) faces. The adsorption rate decreases with increasing coverage at ? ≥ 0.15–0.25 because of the growth, on the (100) face, of the c(2 × 2) structure, in which D(Pd-O) is reduced to 324 kJ/mol by lateral interactions in the adsorption layer. A high-temperature (～800 K) O₂ desorption peak is observed for ? ≤ 0.25, which is due to O₂ desorption from a disordered adsorption layer according to a second-order rate law with an activation energy of E _des = 230 kJ/mol. A lower temperature (～700 K) O₂ desorption peak is observed for ? ≥ 0.25, which is due to O₂ released by the c(2 × 2) structure according to a first-order rate law with E _des = 150 kJ/mol. At ? ≥ 0.25, there are repulsive interactions between O_ads atoms on Pd(poly) (ε_aa = 5–10 kJ/mol).     

Multiscale study on hydrogen storage based on covalent organic frameworks

In this paper, we performed a multiscale study on the hydrogen storage capacity of Li–Sc doped and Li-C₆₀ injected covalent organic frameworks (COFs)-based phthalocyanine, porphyrin and TBPS COFs. We combined the first-principles studies of hydrogen adsorption and grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations of hydrogen adsorption in nine designed COFs. The first-principles calculations revealed that the Li atoms can be doped on the surface of the Sc-doped COFs with binding energy from ?83.9 to ?160.2 kJ/mol. Each Li atom can bind three H₂ molecules with the adsorption energy between ?16.8 and ?20.0 kJ/mol. The GCMC simulations have predicted that all the nine designed COFs can reach the Department of Energy’s 2015 target (5.5 wt% and 40 g/L) at T = 77 K and P = 100 bar. The optimum conditions of hydrogen storage for Li-C₆₀@Li–Sc-PR-TBPS2, the promising materials, are T = 193 K (?80 °C) and P = 100 bar with a gravimetric H₂ density of 8.19 wt% and volumetric H₂ uptake of 42.6 g/L. Finally, we further convinced the importance of Sc in improving H₂ uptake in doped COFs.     

A Study on the extraction of uranium(VI) from sulphate leach liquor using LIX63

The sulphate leach liquor obtained from the sulphuric acid leaching process of Egyptian monazite was treated using solvent extraction to recover U(VI) by LIX63. The influence of various basic variables such as pH, concentration of LIX63, temperature, different stripping agent, phase ratio and diluents was examined. Using 10% LIX63 with the aqueous solution at equilibrium pH 5.5 and a phase ratio A/O?=?1/1, a four-stage McCabe-Thiele plot was constructed, which showed 85.57% of U(VI) extraction. The thermodynamic data showed that the extraction process is exothermic with enthalpy change ΔH?=???43.866?kJ/mol, the stripping of U(VI) was quantitative using 4?M HNO₃. The stable complex UO₂(HSO₄)R_org formed during extraction which supports the cation exchange mechanism was confirmed by FTIR spectral analysis. Uranium cake was finally obtained from the strip solution by the addition of hydrogen peroxide and ammonium hydroxide as precipitating agents, and a workable flowsheet was then formulated.     

Separation of Zr from Hf in acidic chloride solutions by using TOPO and its mixture with other extractants

Liquid–liquid extraction of Zr and Hf from chloride solutions was performed by using TOPO extractant in kerosene. An effective extraction of Zr from Hf was achieved selectively at 2.5–3 M HCl condition. Moreover, a mixture of TOPO with DOS, D2EHPA, Aliquat 336, Alamine 336 and Alamine 308 were tested in order to investigate the extraction behavior of Zr and Hf. The mixture of TOPO and D2EHPA was found to increase the extraction of Zr and Hf. In the extraction by the mixture of TOPO and amine, the extraction percentage of Zr and Hf was decreased with the increase of amine concentration due to the preferential extraction of HCl. Finally, among the mixtures of TOPO and other extractants tested in this study, the TOPO alone system was found to be better for the mutual separation of Zr and Hf in hydrochloric acid media.     

Structural Analysis and Inhibitory Kinetics of Brain Type Creatine Kinase by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

The studies regarding the effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on enzyme activities and structures can provide a valuable insight into public health. We have predicted the 3D structure of the brain creatine kinase (CK-BB) with a high resolution and simulated the docking between CK-BB and SDS. The predicted structure had a root mean square deviation of 0.51 Å. The docking between CK-BB and SDS was successful with significant scores (?4.67 kcal/mol, AutoDock4 and ?48.32 kcal/mol, DOCK6). We have also investigated the inactivation by using SDS to study CK-BB’s folding behaviors. The two-phase rate constants as a first-order reaction were measured during inactivation. SDS strongly inhibited the CK-BB activity in a noncompetitive inhibition manner (K _i?=?1.22 mM). The tertiary structural change was induced by SDS binding with the exposure of hydrophobic surface. The methyl-β-cyclodextrin was used to strip SDS from the enzyme molecule to reactivate. The changes of thermodynamic parameters for the SDS ligand binding such as enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, and entropy were obtained as ?13?±?7.0 MJ/mol, 8.39 kJ/mol, and ?42.754 kJ/(K mol), respectively. Our study provides important structural information for CK-BB and its interaction with SDS with an insight on its folding and inhibition kinetics.     

Resolution of Racemic Ofloxacin Based on Co-Technology of Bubble Fractionation and Extraction

A method of bubble fractionation, with the help of solvent extraction, was developed for the resolution of racemic ofloxacin (rac OFLX). In this method, dibenzoyl-L-tartaric (L-DBTA), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SDS) were used as chiral collector, co-extractant and foamer, respectively. Several important parameters influencing the resolution performances, such as pH in aqueous phase, concentration of OFLX, concentration of L-DBTA, concentration of SDS and volume ratio of D2EHPA to n-octanol in solution, were investigated. The optimal resolution conditions were obtained with the aqueous phase pH 7, volume ratio of D2EHPA to n-octanol 6/14 in organic phase, concentration of SDS 0.42 mg mL^?1, concentration of OFLX 1.67 mg mL^?1, and concentration of L-DBTA 0.11 g mL^?1. Under the optimal extraction conditions, the enantiomeric excess value (e.e.%) was 60.08% and the enantioselectivity (??) was 5.58. It was found that the capacity of enantioselective separation can be greatly improved by the co-technology.     

Structure and energetic properties of 1,5-dinitrobiuret

The two-dimensional potential energy scan shows that the pseudo-trans conformer of 1,5-dinitrobiuret (DNB) is the most stable form of isolated molecule, while the pseudo-cis conformer is about 7.5 kJ/mol higher in energy. Thus, the structure of gaseous DNB is different from that in crystal state, where the molecules have pseudo-cis conformation. The value of enthalpy of formation of gaseous DNB (?257 ± 5 kJ/mol) is calculated from isodesmic reactions using G4 energies. Combining this value with empirically estimated enthalpy of sublimation, the enthalpy of formation of crystal DNB is predicted to be ?415 ± 15 kJ/mol. The bond dissociation enthalpies are calculated for all bonds. The energy of the weakest N–NO₂ bonds is equal to 190–200 kJ/mol. Similar calculations were carried out for biuret. The gaseous biuret exists predominantly in the pseudo-trans form. The calculated enthalpy of formation of gaseous biuret agrees well with the experimental one. The correlation of calculated bond energies with corresponding bond distances and electron density is discussed for biuret and DNB.     

Uranium extraction enhancement form phosphoric acid by emulsion liquid membrane

This work is mainly concerned with the uranium extraction from phosphoric acid commercially produced by Abu Zaabal Fertilizers and Chemical Co., Egypt. This target would realize a dual purpose where the phosphate ore is considered as an alternative source of uranium besides eliminating its environmental contamination. The applied procedures are that of the new technology of emulsion liquid membrane. Authors have indeed pointed out that the variables explored still leave open to question the roles of stripping at the internal interface as well as the bulk transfer of uranium in the internal phase. For this purpose, two reducing agents are studied as additives to two organic solvent systems; namely the organophosphorous synergistic mixture of D2EHPA/TOPO as well as the tridodecyl amine. The relevant factors have first been optimized upon synthetic uraniferous phosphoric acid solution followed by the application upon the commercial acid after purification. These factors include the concentration of solvent system and the used emulsifier, acid concentration of the external and internal phases besides the nature and concentration of the reductant added to the internal phase. In addition, the permeation time as well as the oxidation state of the external phase was studied. All these factors have indeed been studied under different mixing speeds ranging from 300 up to 1,000 rpm. Ascorbic acid concentration, 1 % as an additive to the internal phosphoric acid phase (40 % P₂O₅) resulted in 95 % uranium extraction efficiency at the lower speed of 600 rpm.     

Synergistic extraction of U(VI) and Th(IV) from nitric acid with 4-benzoyl-2,4-dihydro-5-methyl-2-phenyl-3H-pyrazol-3-thione (HBMPPT) and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in toluene

The extractant HBMPPT (4-benzoyl-2,4-dihydro-5-methyl-2-phenyl-3H-pyrazol-3-thione) was synthesized from HBMPP. Its m.p. was 106–108°C. The synergistic extraction of U(VI) and Th(IV) from nitric acid solution by HBMPPT and TOPO in toluene was studied. The extraction ability of HBMPPT was not so high as that of its parent (HBMPP), but when a little tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) was added the ability to extract U(VI) and Th(IV) was seriously improved. The synergistic extracted complexes may be presented as UO₂NO₃·BMPPT·TOPO and UO₂(BMPPT)₂·TOPO for U(VI), and Th(NO₃)₃·BMPPT·TOPO and Th(NO₃)₂(BMPPT)₂·TOPO for Th(IV) respectively.