Optimasi proses pelindian pada pengambilan uranium dan thorium dalam pembuatan zircon opacifier (ZrSiO4)

The leaching process optimization of uranium and thorium in producing of zircon opacifier (ZrSiO4). The research aims to separate uranium and thorium from zircon opacifier by leaching process using HCl as solvent. The experiments were carried out in a glass reactor. The variables observed were acidity, time and temperature. The grinding powder of zircon which contain ThO2 0.11% and U2O3 0.05% has been leached by chloride acid, then the product was separated by centrifuge. The products were washed by water then the solids were dried in an oven at 105 oC. Uranium and thorium in the feed and product were analyzed by using AAN method. The experiments showed that the optimum conditions process of leaching were: the concentration of acid was 1 M, time was 25 minutes and temperature was 90 oC, the amount of uranium and thorium that was picked up respectively 76.53% and 73.19%.

Keywords : opacifier, acidity, time, temperature, leaching