ZIRCONIUM ION FLOTATION WITH LONG-CHAIN ALKYLSULFATES FROM NITRIC AND URANYL-NITRATE SOLUTIONS

Alkylsulfate of various chain lengths (C10, C12, C14) were used as collectors. The chemical reactions between Zr and the surfactants were found by determination of the solubility curves. Due to the strong acid properties of the cation and of the existence of polynuclear species, the sublate stoichiometry could not be defined precisely. However, average stoichiometric values were determined. The surface properties of the precipitated phase were studied by electrokinetic measurements. The adsorption isotherms of surfactants onto the sublate surface are shown. The precipitate is well flocculated and floats easily only at monolayer surface coverage. With sodium lauryl- and dodecylsulfate a second layer forms but flotation and flocculation are depressed. This does not occur with the decylsulfate ion. The alkyl china length is thus an optimization factor of the ion flotation process. Zr can be removed from high concentrated acid uranyl nitrate solutions, but the recovery rate decreases when the ionic strength increases.