Dubois, and 16 co-authors, reported in 2019 during the Membranes Section of the KAP IX International conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan that Specialists of JV LLP KATCO in cooperation with Chimerical (South Africa), ORANO Group (France) and LLP IHT developed and tested nanofiltration technology for uranium eluate and then designed and created membrane unit for nanofiltration.
The feasibility of the invented nanofiltrating unit is justified by necessity to reduce the operating costs in the production cycle of the company and, accordingly, reduce the cost of manufactured uranium. Research works, design, engineering, installation, start-up and testing of the unit are carried out as part of the R&D project development work on creation of commercial eluate nanofiltration sector on Moyinkum South site.
Membrane technologies are used to separate ions and molecules by their size by passing through a semipermeable membrane that allow pass molecules or ions of no more than a certain size. As a rule, to intensify the process, it is carried out under high pressure (up to 40 bar). To date four types of filtration using membrane technologies are used. Electrodialysis is a separate type of membrane process when transfer through a membrane occurs under the influence of an electric field (only for charged ions). The applied membrane technology is based on high-pressure nanofiltration processes through a membrane with a charged active surface. Nanofiltration allows the passage through the membrane solution of monovalent molecules called Filtrate and the retention of solution containing divalent and multivalent molecules called Concentrate.
Technology for uranium eluate concentrating through membrane nanofiltration unit was developed and on site tested. Industrial tests of the pilot membrane unit were carried out. An industrial version of the membrane nanofiltration unit in an autonomous container design has been manufactured. A significant economic effect is expected. Installation and commissioning are planned in Autumn 2019.
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