Effect of particle size on uranium bioleaching in column reactors from a low-grade uranium ore

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of ore particle size on column bioleaching from low-grade uranium ore using an indigenous Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, isolated from local uranium ore. The uranium content was 0.033% by weight and ore particle size was crushed to <50 mm, <30 mm, and <15 mm. The additive content of sulfuric acid 5 g/L, Fe³⁺ dosage of 5.0 g/L, spray strength of 2.57 L/(h·m²) and temperature of 25 °C were controlled. After 150 days of leaching, acid consumption amounted to 2.73 g H₂SO₄ per kg ore, the obtained maximum uranium extraction was 64.85% with the ore particle size of <15 mm. The results showed that a smaller particle size ore had a higher uranium extraction and that an economic uranium extraction can be obtained by correctly controlling the ore granularity.

Keywords: Column bioleaching; Low-grade; Particle size; Uranium ore.