Study of scandium and thorium sorption from uranium leach liquors

Scandium and thorium sorption from simulated uranium leach liquors by phosphorous containing ion exchange resins was studied. Increase of thorium concentration resulted in a decrease of scandium sorption by 26–65%. Tulsion CH 93 resin was chosen for Sc separation from uranium leach liquors. It was shown that 180 g L −1 Na 2 CO 3 allowed for elution 94.1% of Sc and 98.9% of Th in dynamic conditions. Using (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 (50 g L −1 ) + ACBM (180 g L −1 ) mixture for primary Sc/Th separation at the resin/eluent ratio of 1:5 resulted in thorium desorption degree as high as 66–69%, whereas scandium loss did not exceed 10%.