Mukhachev A.P., Yelatontsev D.O., Shevchenko V.Н. Resource-saving and environmental protection in nuclear-grade zirconium and hafnium production

Geoteh. meh. 2023, 164, 135-149

https://doi.org/10.15407/geotm2023.164.135

 

RESOURCE-SAVING AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN NUCLEAR-GRADE ZIRCONIUM AND HAFNIUM PRODUCTION

1Mukhachev A.P., 2Yelatontsev D.O., 1Shevchenko V.Н.

1M.S. Poliakov Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2Dnipro State Technical University

UDC 543:546.633:504:669

Language: English

Abstract. The development of efficient and environmentally friendly technological processes for processing zircon concentrate is an urgent problem in the technology of producing reactor-pure zirconium and hafnium used in nuclear power. The review presents the environmental, technical and economic characteristics of zircon decomposition processes using existing industrial technologies and provides data on the environmental safety of each technology. It is shown that current industrial technologies do not meet the criteria of sustainable development and allow emissions of toxic reagents into the environment. New applications of particularly pure zirconium and hafnium compounds which have emerged in recent decades, with impurity content of 10-3–10-5%, require less corrosive reagents than chlorine and fluorine, new resource-saving processes and equipment. Today, technical zirconium oxide with a purity of 98% is the main industrial product of zircon processing, but it allows for losses of hafnium, scandium and silicon. This is equivalent to financial losses of over USD 150 million per year. Based on the analysis of promising halogen-free technologies, a new integrated zircon processing technology is proposed which allows producing scarce hafnium, scandium and silicon compounds along with reactor-pure zirconium and its high-purity chemical compounds. The chemicals consumed in the zircon processing process are utilized in the production of mineral fertilizers, eliminating environmental pollution. The use of the highly efficient refining extraction process in a nitric acid environment using centrifugal extractors with an available tributilphosphate extractant allows us to obtain reactor metals with a purity of 99.95%. The production of high-purity zirconium, hafnium, scandium and silicon oxides meets the demand for non-nuclear products, which expands the volume of integrated zircon processing and meets the growing market demand for new functional materials. The integrated approach to zircon processing can reduce the cost of zircon by producing by-products, recycling consumed reagents and eliminating non-recyclable solid and liquid waste. This will ensure environmental protection even with relatively small volumes of reactor-pure metal production.
Keywords: zircon, zirconium, hafnium, scandium, silicon, resource-saving, nuclear purity.

REFERENCES

  1. Krivda, Ye. V. and Gurov, D. I. (2017), “Analysis of the Ukraine's energy industry and its strategic development”, Suchasní problemi yekonomíki í pídpriêmnitstvo, vol. 20, pp. 5–12.
  2. Azhazha, V. M., Rolik, I. L., Kozhevnikova, M. F., Levenets, V. V. and Shchur, A. A. (2007), “Environmental characteristics of the production of zirconium, its alloys and rolled products for the nuclear fuel cycle of Ukraine”, Ekologiya i promyshlennost', no. 4, pp. 44–50.
  3. Li, S., Che, Y., Shu, Y., He, J., Song, J. and Yang, B. (2021), “Preparation of Zirconium Metal by Electrolysis”, Journal of The Electrochemical Society, no. 168(6), pp. 062508, https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/ac0996
  4. Shumakova, N. I. and Protsenko, Z. M. (2016), “Electrochemical deposition of zirconium on substrates with different materials”, 2016 International Conference on Nanomaterials: Application and Properties (NAP), pp. 01NTF24-1. https://doi.org/10.1016/10.1109/NAP.2016.7757257
  5. Xu, L., Xiao, Y., Van Sandwijk, A., Xu, Q. and Yang, Y. (2015), “Production of nuclear grade zirconium: A review”, Journal of Nuclear Materials, no. 466, pp. 21–28, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2015.07.010
  6. Baranenkova, S. Yu., Chizhevskaya, S. V. and Chekmarev, A. M. (2005), “Application of mechanical activation to intensify the process of zircon decomposition by sintering with K2SiF6”, Uspekhi v khimii i khimicheskoy tekhnologii, no. 9, pp. 11–13.
  7. Smorokov, A. A., Kantayev, A. S., Bryankin, D. V. and Miklashevich, A. A. (2022), “Development of a low-temperature desiliconization method for zircon concentrate after activation with NH4HF2”, Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Assets Engineering, no. 4, pp. 27–36, https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2022/4/3459
  8. Kotsar', M. L., Nikonov, V. I., Fedorov, V. D., Cheremnykh, G. S., Chuprinko, V. G., Lindt, K. A., and Leont'yev, G. A. (2002), “Iodide refining of calcium-thermal zirconium”, Problems of Atomic Science and Technology, no. 6, pp. 100–105.
  9. Fedorov, P. P. and Yarotskaya, Ye. G. (2021), “Zirconium dioxide. Review”, Kondensirovannyye sredy i mezhfaznyye granitsy, no. 2, pp. 169–187, https://doi.org/10.17308/kcmf.2021.23/3427
  10. Korovin, Yu. F. (2014), “Waste-free technology of nuclear-pure zirconium”, Zbírnik naukovikh prats' Natsíonal'nogo gírnichogo uníversitetu, no. 44, pp. 152–161.
  11. Shatalov, V. V., Fedorov, V. D., Kotsar', M. L., Chuprinko, V. G., Lindt, K. A., Lakhov, A. M. and Risovanyy, V. D. (1999), “Extraction-calcium-thermal technology for obtaining hafnium”, Problems of Atomic Science and Technology, no. 2, pp. 9–13.
  12. Mukhachov, A. P., Kharitonova, E. A. and Skipochka, D. G. (2016), “Scandium and its alloys with aluminum”, Problems of Atomic Science and Technology, vol. 101, pp. 45–50.
  13. Mukhachov, A., Kharitonova, O., Terentieva, O. (2018), “Hafnium Oxide as Efficient Material for a New Generation Dielectric”, Acta Physica Polonica A, vol. 133, no. 4, pp. 778–780, https://doi.org/10.12693/APhysPolA.133.778
  14. Azhazha, V. M., V'yugov, P. N., Lavrinenko, S. D., Mukhachev, A. P. and Pilipenko, N. N. (2004), “Physical and chemical bases for obtaining pure rare, rare earth and radioactive metals from polymetallic ores”, Problems of Atomic Science and Technology, no.6, pp. 24–29.
  15. Bedinger, G. M. (2017), Zirconium And Hafnium: U.S. Geological Survey 2017, Minerals Yearbook (California: USGS Publications).
  16. Risovanyy, V. D., Klochkov, Ye. P. and Ponomarenko, V. B. (1993), Gafniy v yadernoy tekhnike [Hafnium in nuclear engineering], NII Atomnykh reaktorov, Dimitrovgrad, Russian Federation.
  17. Konstantinova, T. Ye., Danilenko, I. A., Tokiy, V. V. and Glazunova, V. A. (2005), “Obtaining nanosized powders of zirconium dioxide. From innovation to innovation”, Nauka ta ínnovatsíí̈, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 76–87.  https://doi.org/10.15407/scin1.03.076
  18. Serdobintsev, Yu. P., Khar'kov, M. Yu. and Nazzal, A. (2014), “Overview and analysis of the use of ceramic materials in various industries”, Sovremennyye problemy nauki i obrazovaniya, no. 1, pp. 231–231.
  19. Savina, D.L., Tokiy, V.V., Konstantinova, T.Ye. and Tokiy, N.V. (2008), “Transport phenomena in surface layers of zirconia”, Nanosistemi, nanomateríali, nanotekhnologíí̈, vol. 6, no. 3. pp. 725–730.
  20. Mikhaylina, N. A., Podzorova, L. I., Rumyantseva, M. N., Shvorneva, L. I., Ovchinnikova, O. A., Anisimova, S. V. and Khvan, V. I. (2010), “Ceramics based on tetragonal zirconia for restorative dentistry”, Perspektivnyye materialy, no. 3, pp. 44–48.
  21. Abdel-Rehim, A. M. (2005), “A new technique for extracting zirconium from Egyptian zircon concentrate”, International Journal of Mineral Processing, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 234–243, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.minpro.2005.02.004
  22. Kuznetsov, G. I., Pushkov, A. A. and Kosogorov, A. V. (2000), Tsentrobezhnyye ekstraktory TSENTREK [Centrifugal extractors TSENTREK], Izd-vo RKHTU im. D.I. Mendeleyeva, Moscow, Russian Federation.
  23. Men'shikov, I. F. and Skryabin, O. O. (2015), “Assessment and analysis of prospects for the development of zirconium production”, Russian Journal of Industrial Economics, no. 2, pp. 22–24.
  24. Kovalenko, G. D. and Rudya, K. G. (2008), Radioekologiya Ukrainy [Radioecology of Ukraine], ID “INZHEK”, Kharkiv, Ukraine.
  25. Likhnikevich, Ye. G., Fatov, A. S. and Levchenko, Ye. N. (2016), “Behavior of radioactive elements during decontamination of baddeleyite-zircon enrichment concentrates”, Razvedka i okhrana nedr, no. 4, pp. 48–51.
  26. Simonov, Yu. A., Kritskiy, A. A., Rychkov, V. N. and Tomashov, V. A. (2009), “Study of the process of MgO regeneration from the products of its sintering with zircon”, Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Tsvetnaya metallurgiya, no. 5, pp. 24–27. https://doi.org/10.3103/S106782120905006X
  27. Tsurika, A. A., Semenov, A. A., Ukhov, S. A., Lizunov, A. V., Safiulina, A. M., Chekinov, S. I. and Seleznev, A. O. (2020), “Production of zirconium tetrachloride by clorination of zircon and zirconium oxide in the presence of sulfur”, Problems of Atomic Science and Technology, no. 1, pp. 82–106.
  28. Likhnikevich, Ye. G., Levchenko, Ye. N., Yakushina, O. A. and Fatov, A. S. (2016), “Principal thermochemical technology of zircon-baddeleyite concentrates processing”, Vestnik IG Komi SC UB RAS, no. 3, pp. 18–25, https://doi.org/10.19110/2221-1381-2016-3-18-25
  29. Batayev, Ya. S., Zaykov, Yu. P., Lokhmotko, Yu. A., Polovov, I. B., Rebrin, O. I., Chuykin, A. Yu. and Yamshchikov, L. F. (2010), “Chlorination of hafnium dioxide with chlorine gas in the presence of carbon”, Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Tsvetnaya metallurgiya, no. 4, pp. 33–40. https://doi.org/10.3103/S1067821210040073
  30. Naymanbayev, M. A., Lokhova, N. G., Baltabekova, Zh. A. and Kasymzhanov, K. K. (2019), “Isolation of an industrial product enriched in rare earth metals from zircon concentrate”, Izvestiya VUZov Kyrgyzstana, no. 2, pp. 26–30.
  31. Likhnikevich, Ye. G., Ozhogina, Ye. G. and Fatov, A. S. (2019), “Mineralogical criteria for the selection of rare metals ore processing technology”, Vestnik IG Komi SC UB RAS, no. 4, pp. 42–48, https://doi.org/10.19110/2221-1381-2019-4-42-48
  32. Lavrinenko, S. D., Pilipenko, N. N. and V'yugov, P. N. (2014), “Pure metals for nuclear energy”, Problems of Atomic Science and Technology, no. 4, pp. 72–81.
  33. Azhazha, V.M., Val'ter, A.A., Êr'omenko, G.K. and Pisans'kiy, A.Í. (2007), “Zircon of Ukraine in the aspect of the needs of nuclear energy”, Zapiski Ukraí̈ns'kogo míneralogíchnogo tovaristva, vol. 4, pp. 3–12.
  34. Pilipenko, N. N. (2009), “Research and development for the production of nuclear-pure zirconium and an alloy based on it”, Problems of Atomic Science and Technology, no. 6, pp. 12–18.
  35. Nefedov, V. G. and Mukhachev, A. P. (2019), Elektrokhimicheskiye tekhnologii v atomnoy energetike. CH. 3 : Elektroliz rasplavlennykh soley [Electrochemical technologies in nuclear power engineering. Part 3: Electrolysis of molten salts], DVNZ UDKHTU, Dnepr, Ukraine.
  36. Mukhachev, A. P., Nefedov, V. G., Kharitonova, Ye. A. and Mikita, K. (2019), “Production of zirconium for nuclear power engineering by electrolysis of molten salts”, Sovremennyye elektrokhimicheskiye tekhnologii i oborudovaniye - 2019 : materialy Mezhdunarodnoy nauchno-tekhnicheskoy konferentsii, 13–17 May 2019, Minsk, pp. 205–208.
  37. Sheikh, P. A., Winand, R. and Fontana, A. (1971), “Production of zirconium metal by electrolysis in molten fluorides baths, the cell being fed by tablets of zirconium oxide and carbon”, Journal of Nuclear Materials, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 84–92, https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3115(71)90186-3
  38. Mukhachev, A. P., Nefedov, V. G. and Kharytonova, O. A. (2020), “Influence of electrolyte on the zirconium electrolysis process for nuclear power engineering”, Problems of Atomic Science and Technology, no. 4, pp. 40–45. https://doi.org/10.46813/2020-128-040
  39. Beyer, G.H., Spink, D.R., West, J.B. and Wilhelm, H.A. (1954), Caustic treatment of zircon sand. Iowa State University, Washington.
  40. Pugachov, A. K. (2008), “From the history of the creation of domestic fluoropolymers”, Rossiyskiy khimicheskiy zhurnal, vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 5–6.
  41. Vakhrusheva, V. S., Voyevodin, V. N., Ladokhin, S. V., Mukhachev, A. P. and Pilipenko, N. N. (2018), “Obtaining tube-shells of fuel elements of nuclear reactors from cast billets of Zr1Nb alloy of electron-beam smelting”, Metall i lit'ye Ukrainy, no.7–8, pp. 101–111.
  42. Mukhachov, A.P. and Kharytonova, O.A. (2020), “Development of process for producing zirconium powder of nuclear purity”, Metallofizika i Noveishie Tekhnologii, vol. 42, no. 11, pp. 1525–1535, https://doi.org/10.15407/mfint.42.11.1525
  43. Mukhachov, A.P., Nefedov, V.G. and Kharytonova, O.A. (2019), “Electrode processes in electrolysis of zirconium at production of plastic zirconium for nuclear energy”, Problems of Atomic Science and Technology, no. 2, pp. 111–115.  https://doi.org/10.46813/2019-120-111
  44. Mukhachev, A.P., Kharytonova, O.A. and Evdokymova, T.A. (2020), “Radiation tests of products made of calcium-thermal zirconium grade CTZ-110 under operation of the VVER-440 reactor”, Yaderna Fyizika ta Energetika, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 239–244, https://doi.org/10.15407/JNPAE2020.03.239

About authors:

Mukhachev Anatolii Petrovych, Candidate of Physics and Mathematics (Ph.D.), Senior Researcher in Department of Vibratory Transporting Systems and Complexes, M.S. Poliakov Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IGTM of the NAS of Ukraine), Dnipro, Ukraine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Yelatontsev Dmytro Oleksandrovych, Candidate of Technical Sciences (Ph.D.), Associate Professor in Department of Chemical Technology of Inorganic Substances, Dnipro State Technical University under the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (DSTU of MES of Ukraine), Kamianske, Ukraine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Shevchenko Volodymyr Heorhiiovych, Doctor of Technical Sciences (D. Sc), Professor, Scientific Secretary of the Institute, M.S. Poliakov Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IGTM of the NAS of Ukraine), Dnipro, Ukraine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Attachments:
FileDescriptionFile size
Download this file (Paper_13.pdf)Mukhachev A.P., Yelatontsev D.O., Shevchenko V.Н. Resource-saving and 723 kB