Experimental Study on the Solidification of Uranium Tailings and Uranium Removal Based on MICP

Lin Hu, Zhijun Zhang, Lingling Wu (), Qing Yu, Huaimiao Zheng, Yakun Tian and Guicheng He
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Lin Hu: School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
Zhijun Zhang: School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
Lingling Wu: School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
Qing Yu: School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
Huaimiao Zheng: School of Economics, Management and Law, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
Yakun Tian: School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
Guicheng He: School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-15

Abstract: The governance of uranium tailings aims to improve stability and reduce radionuclide uranium release. In order to achieve this goal, the uranium removal solution test and uranium tailings grouting test were successively carried out using microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology. The effect of MICP on the reinforcement of uranium tailings and the synchronous control of radionuclide uranium in the tailings were discussed. The solution test results show that Sporosarcina pasteurii could grow and reproduce rapidly in an acidic medium with an initial pH of 5. The uranium concentration decreased with the increase in MICP reaction time, and the removal efficiency reached 60.9% at 24 h. In the solidification test of tailings, the strength of tailings improved significantly after 12 days of reinforcement, with an increase in the cohesion of tailings by 2.937 times and an increased internal friction angle of 8.393°. The peak stress value of solidified tailings at the surrounding pressure of 50 kPa increased by 1.87 times, and the uranium concentration in the discharge fluid decreased by 76.91% compared to the blank group. This study provides valuable insights and references for safely disposing of uranium tailings.

Keywords: uranium tailings; solidification; uranium removal; microorganism; calcium carbonate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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