Removal of uranium from aqueous solutions by adsorption using Rosetta ilmenite concentrate

ABSTRACT

Rosetta ilmenite concentrate has been applied for uranium adsorption from its aqueous solution using batch sorption techniques. The optimised adsorption conditions included, solution pH 5, adsorbent dose (0.025 g/25 ml), uranium initial concentration 200 mg/L, 1 h contact time, and at room temperature (25°C), corresponding to uranium adsorption efficiency of about 74% and uranium uptake 148 mg/g. From kinetic parameters, it was found that uranium adsorption followed pseudo second order kinetics. Besides, the equilibrium data fitted the Langmuir isotherm model well. The various thermodynamic parameter rs were calculated (∆H^o = −14.3 kJ mol⁻¹, ∆S^o = 0.075 kJ mol⁻¹K⁻¹, ∆G^o = −36.65 kJ mol⁻¹), these values an exothermic, randomness, and spontaneous adsorption process, respectively. Uranium is successfully desorbed from loaded ilmenite using 0.5 M H₂SO₄ for 15 min. contact time.

KEWORDS:

• Removal
• adsorption
• uranium
• ilmenite

Acknowledgments

The author would like to express his great thanks to Prof. Dr. A. H. Ali, Nuclear Materials Authority (NMA).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).