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Subsequent Separation of Niobium (Nb), Thorium (Th), Rare Earth Elements (REEs), Zirconium (Zr), and Uranium (U) from Abu Rusheid Cataclastic Concentrate, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

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Radiochemistry Aims and scope

Abstract

ataclastic rocks of Abu Rusheid area, Southeastern Desert of Egypt, were physically upgraded to obtain with producing a concentrate assaying 29.4% ZrO2, 1.55% Nb2O5, 3.13% RE2O3, 0.9% U3O8, and 0.66% ThO2. The corresponding minerals of these elements in the sample studied include zircon, columbite, samarskite, and uranothorite. Cassiterite is considered as an accessory mineral. The novelty of the suggested procedure is based on selective separation of niobium first from the aqueous liquor of the hydrous oxide cake obtained after alkali breakdown of the concentrate, leaving U, Th, Zr, and REEs in the residue. About 97% of niobium was selectively dissolved under the optimum conditions: weight ratio of concentrate sample to NaOH/KOH mixture 1 : 1.5, fusion time 2 h, and fusion temperature 500°C. This was followed by the recovery of Th, Zr, U, and REEs from the residue. The residue was treated with hydrochloric acid to achieve 98% leaching efficiency. From the two adequately obtained leach liquors, significant products have been prepared.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Materials Authority, El Maadi, 11728, Cairo, Egypt

    A. H. El-Afandy & A. E. Mubark

  2. Chemistry Department, College of Science and Arts, Jouf University, 75911, Alqurayyat, Egypt

    A. M. Yousif

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  1. A. H. El-Afandy
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El-Afandy, A.H., Yousif, A.M. & Mubark, A.E. Subsequent Separation of Niobium (Nb), Thorium (Th), Rare Earth Elements (REEs), Zirconium (Zr), and Uranium (U) from Abu Rusheid Cataclastic Concentrate, South Eastern Desert, Egypt. Radiochemistry 64, 257–267 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1066362222020175

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