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Thermal decomposition of Australian uranium ore concentrates: characterisation of speciation and morphological changes following thermogravimetric analysis

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Abstract

In this manuscript, we report the analysis of eight uranium ore concentrates (UOCs) from three operating Australian uranium mines using thermogravimetric analysis to investigate whether the thermal decomposition of these UOCs can be used to differentiate between sources. Micro-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were also used to identify the different phases present within the original UOC material, as well as chart their decomposition with the increasing temperature. UOCs of different species were able to be differentiated from one another, while the moisture content, a variable component within the UOCs, did distinguish between U3O8 samples sourced from Ranger and Olympic Dam. The effect of elevated temperatures on the diverse UOC morphologies of the three UOCs was also examined.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would also like to acknowledge the financial assistance provided by the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering Research Grant (15011) and the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering Research Fellowship (Popelka-Filcoff). The authors would like to thank Dr Jonathan Campbell, Dr Cameron Shearer, Dr Ashley Slattery (Flinders University) and Dr Gordon Thorogood (ANSTO) for their assistance, as well as acknowledge the facilities of the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility at the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia

    Tim G. Ditcham, K. Paul Kirkbride, Claire E. Lenehan & Rachel S. Popelka-Filcoff

  2. Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia

    Andrew Wotherspoon

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  1. Tim G. Ditcham
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  2. Andrew Wotherspoon
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Correspondence to Tim G. Ditcham.

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Ditcham, T., Wotherspoon, A., Kirkbride, K. et al. Thermal decomposition of Australian uranium ore concentrates: characterisation of speciation and morphological changes following thermogravimetric analysis. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 310, 725–732 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4871-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4871-9

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