Application of membrane contactor with helical flow for processing uranium ores

• The paper presents the application of membrane contactor for leaching uranium ores.
• The influence of process parameters on leaching efficiency was investigated.
• High effectiveness of leaching uranium and associated metals was achieved.
• Use of the helical contactor results in a decrease in the fouling intensity.
• Application of the membrane contactor for the leaching process enables energy saving.

The paper presents the studies of the possibility of leaching uranium ores using a membrane contactor. Membrane contactor with helical flow equipped with a tubular metallic membrane was used as an alternative to the traditional method of leaching using the stirred tank. The influence of such process parameters as: the feed flow rate and rotation frequency of the inner cylinder placed in the membrane module on leaching efficiency was investigated. High effectiveness of leaching uranium and associated metals was achieved by using the membrane contactor equipped with the rotor. Among many advantages of a new approach of conducting the leaching process, energy saving and the possibility of combining two process steps in one apparatus: leaching and separation of solid phase from post-leaching solutions, should be mentioned. Furthermore, the application of a helical membrane contactor allows the control of hydrodynamic conditions inside the apparatus and promotes turbulence. This ensured stable and efficient separation of phases after the leaching process by decreasing the intensity of the membrane blocking phenomenon by suspended particles of uranium ore.