Study of change in the leaching solution activity after treatment with a cavitator

Abstract

Increasing the valuable component content in a pregnant solution due to the activation of leaching solution with cavitation treatment in case of the borehole in-situ leaching (ISL). Methods.To obtain the cavitation effect, a laboratory cavitation plant has been produced. Studies on the sulphuric acid solution activation by means of cavitation were conducted using solutions with 10 g/l of acid content. Studies of changing the sulphuric acid solution activity during treatment with a cavitator were conducted for 3 minutes (24 passes through the cavitator), 5 minutes (40 passes), 10 minutes (80 passes) and 20 minutes (160 passes). The content in the solution of the valuable component was analysed using a KFK-3-"ZOMS" photoelectric photometer.Findings. The laboratory studies have been performed to set the influence of the cavitation process on the leaching solution activity at various degrees of activation and time of reaction. The studies have established that in order to activate the leaching solution, it is proposed to carry out cavitation treatment of sulphuric acid before to additionally fortify the mother solution, which helps to increase its activity. The solution activation leads to an increase in the valuable component content from 18 to 26% in the pregnant solution and its activity is maintained for a long time (up to 30 days).Originality. New dependences have been obtained reflecting the nature of changing the valuable component content in the pregnant solution on the reaction time and the degree of solution activation. Practical implications.The proposed activation method leads to an increase in the valuable component content in the pregnant solution compared to the basic technology, therewith, the activity is maintained for a long time. The proposed technology is characterized by low capital costs, is easily integrated into the existing system and is absolutely environmentally friendly.

Study of the Effect of Solution Activation on the Density of the Pregnant Solution and on the Content of the Useful Component

“…In [7], we found that the use of the cavitation effect leads to an increase in the content of the useful component in the productive solution. However, in the course of the conducted studies, it was found that with an increase in the degree of cavitation, the density of the leaching solution changes, which can lead to a change in the gravity and, accordingly, the process of precipitation of the productive solution.…”

“…To the mining group of JSC NAK Kazatomprom includes 16 enterprises with full andpartial ownership thatare developing 20 underground minesin-situ leaching. Uranium deposits are located on the territories of South Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda and Akmola regions [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12].…”

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

“…Analysis of different techniques intensifying leaching has shown that they accelerate the process and increase several times useful mineral extraction [28], [29]. Nevertheless, they are not versatile and depend upon conditions of specific deposits.…”

Determination of the parameters of local reinforced zones under the protection means

“…It is unacceptable that a state that has its own coal resources exports it from Russia and Kazakhstan. In Kazakhstan coal still remains and will definitely remain the main source of energy in the near future, despite the fact that the country is a world leader in uranium mining [2], which has been increased several times over the past 15 years due to underground leaching [2,3]. As a result, a considerable share of the country's export is accounted for uranium, coal and electricity.…”