Application of Ultraflocculation Method for Purification of Circulating Solutions in Uranium Mining

ABSTRACT The purification of circulating solutions in the uranium mining industry plays a crucial role in reducing radiation exposure and enabling the reuse of water in the technological process. The study aimed to investigate the effect of different types of polyacrylamide flocculants and their dosages on the degree of purification of circulating solutions in the uranium mining enterprise Semizbay-U (Irkol mine, Kazakhstan). The interaction between the flocculants and the colloidal structures in the circulating solutions was examined using the “Ultrafloc Tester” unit. The dependence of flocculation efficiency on the nature of polymers, and their dosage, as well as on the modes and intensity of hydrodynamic treatment, was analysed. The study for the first time established the dependence of ultraflocculation efficiency on the intensity of hydrodynamic treatment of solutions on the apparatus “Ultrafloc tester”, which determined the optimal modes of operation of the equipment. Experimental data showed that nonuniform hydrodynamic fields contribute to the acceleration of flocculation, improve the quality of solid phase separation and increase the rate of sedimentation of particles. Application of the ultraflocculation method achieved a significant improvement in the characteristics of purification: increasing the productivity of thickeners and pressure filters, reducing the content of solids in the treated solutions and reducing the consumption of flocculant. The optimum parameters of flocculant dosage and hydrodynamic treatment modes were revealed, which provide maximum purification of recycled solutions for their reuse in the ore leaching process. The ultraflocculation method has demonstrated high efficiency for the purification of circulating solutions in the uranium mining industry, providing reagent savings, improvement of circulating water quality and environmental safety of the processes.