Uranium extraction from sulfuric acid medium using trioctylamine impregnated activated carbon

The extraction of uranium from sulfuric acid media using trioctylamine (TOA) impregnated activated carbon has been studied. The latter was prepared by direct adsorption of the extractant onto the solid phase (dry method) and its analysis by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) proved that TOA has successfully been grafted to the surface of the activated carbon with a loading capacity of 0.67 g TOA per 1 g activated carbon. Parameters affecting uranium extraction by the TOA impregnated activated carbon such as the contact time, the pH of the uranium solution, the initial uranium ion concentration, the volume of aqueous solution to the weight of the impregnated activated carbon ratio as well as the extraction temperature were investigated by batch experiments. Loaded uranium was eluted using 0.1 mol/l hydrochloric acid. The experimental results have been studied by both kinetic and sorption isotherm models.

► Trioctylamine impregnated activated carbon has been prepared for uranium extraction. ► 50 mg U was loaded onto 1 g TOA impregnated AC under selected optimum conditions. ► 0.1 mol/l HCl was used for uranium elution with 94.88% efficiency. ► Uranium sorption kinetics obeys a pseudo-second order reaction. ► Uranium sorption isotherm has been fitted with Langmuir model.