ИСТИНА

The nuclear fuel cycle begins with the recovery and processing of uranium ores. The improvement of the first stage of the nuclear fuel cycle (NFC) – uranium mining is currently associated with the strengthening of the role of complex processing. Uranium ores contain a significant number of rare elements: molybdenum, scandium, rhenium, rare earth elements, vanadium, etc. The choice of the hydrometallurgical method for the associated extraction of these metals is determined by their content, type of leaching agent, and economic considerations. Generally sorption and / or extraction processes are used to extract rare metals that are leached from the ores together with uranium. In case of sorption of rare metals from solutions with a low concentration, diluted metal eluates are formed. In order to unify the equipment used and increase the economic efficiency of further processing of desorbates, it is possible to use sorbents with mobile phase of extractants that combine the properties of sorbents and extractants – impregnates (SIR) and Levextrel-resins. They differ in the method of preparation: into the impregnates the extractant is introduced by impregnating the carrier, and into the Levextrel-resin ‒ in the process of polymer matrix synthesis. Thereat there is no chemical bond between the carrier and the extractant. The possibility of sorption recovery and concentration of some rare metals by impregnates and Levextrel-resins based on amines and organophosphorus extractants of various types is shown in the work.