Removal of uranium contamination from magnesium fluoride slag

摘要

Magnesium fluoride slag contaminated with metallic uranium or uranium compounds is treated by digestion with potassium hydroxide to soluble potassium fluoride and insoluble magnesium hydroxide. The solid and liquid phases are then separated and the solids phase is dissolved in acid to form a solution of metal salts. The liquid phase is treated with lime to precipitate calcium fluoride and convert the potassium back to potassium hydroxide for recycle to the digestion reaction. The metal salts are separated to remove the uranium salt from the magnesium salt. The result is an efficient removal of uranium contamination from the magnesium, the recovery of magnesium in a manner that permits efficient reuse or safe disposal, and the production of calcium fluoride useful for a variety of purposes.