Preparation of U3O8 by Calcination from Ammonium Uranyl Carbonate Using Response Surface Methodology: Process Optimization

Abstract

The parameters to<em> prepare U₃O₈ by calcination from ammonium uranyl carbonate were optimized by using response surface methodology. A quadratic equation model for the value of total uranium and U⁴⁺of triuranium octaoxide was built and the effects of main factors and their corresponding relationships were obtained. The statistical analysis of the results indicated that the value of total uranium and U⁴⁺ of triuranium octaoxide was significantly affected by the calcination temperature and calcination time in this study range. The optimized calcination conditions were determined as follows: the calcination temperature</em><em>961.6</em><em> K, the calcination time </em><em>27.9 </em><em>min, and the mass of material </em><em>37.86 </em><em>g, respectively. Under these conditions, the value of total uranium and U⁴⁺ of </em><em>triuranium octaoxide was </em><em>84.29% and 28.14%</em><em>. The validity of the model was confirmed experimentally and the results were satisfactory.</em>