Abstract
Uranium adsorption tests using bundle-shaped fiber adsorbents containing amidoxime groups have been performed on a bench scale model of the adsorbent bed tank.On the basis of these adsorption tests, a conceptual design for extracting uranium from seawater is presented in this study. The extraction system consists of a barge with adsorbent bed tanks and a pusher boat. In the proposed system, seawater flows into the adsorbent bed tanks from suction valves placed on the inner bottom of the barge, then passes through the piled adsorbent and is finally discharged out of the tanks through the overflow gates by drain pumps.
In addition, numerical simulations for the extraction system are carried out under theoretical operating conditions. A feasible assessment of the extraction system is also made in this paper. The production cost of uranium extraction is about 42,000yen/kg-uranium.
