In-situ Chemical Age of the Sandstone-hosted Uranium Deposit in Ningdong Area on the Western Margin of the Ordos Basin, North China

Objective The Ordos Basin located in the westem part of the North China Craton bears various energy resources such as oil, gas, coal and uranium. It is one of the richest uranium-bearing basins in China. Since the discovery of the large-scale Dongsheng, Hangjinqi and Daying uranium deposits in the north of the Ordos Basin, a new breakthrough of uranium exploration has been achieved in the Ningdong area （eastern Ningxia） on the western margin of the Ordos Basin （WMOB） in the past two years （Wang Feifei et al., 2017）.

Quantifying the impact of mineralogical heterogeneity on reactive transport modeling of CO_(2)+O_(2) in-situ leaching of uranium

CO_(2)+O_(2) in-situ leaching(ISL)of sandstonetype uranium ore represents the third generation of solution mining in China.In this study,reactive transport modeling of the interaction between hydrodynamic and geochemical reactions is performed to enable better prediction and regulation of the CO_(2)+O_(2) in-situ leaching process of uranium.Geochemical reactions between mining solutions and rock,and the kinetic uranium dissolution controlled by O_(2)(aq)and bicarbonate(HCO_(3)-)are considered in the CO_(2)+O_(2) ISL reactive transport model of a typical sandstone-hosted uranium ore deposit in northern China.The reactive leaching of uranium is most sensitive to the spatial distribution of the mineralogical properties of the uranium deposit.Stochastic geostatistical models are used to represent the uncertainty on the spatial distribution of mineral grades.A Monte Carlo analysis was also performed to simulate the uranium production variability over an entire set of geostatistical realizations.The ISL stochastic simulation performed with the selected geostatistical realizations approximates the uranium production variability well.The simulation results of the ISL reactive transport model show that the extent of the uranium plume is highly dependent on mineralogical heterogeneity.The uncertainty analysis suggests the effect of uranium grade heterogeneity was found to be important to improve the accurate capture of the uncertainty.This study provides guidance for the accurate simulation and dynamic regulation of the CO_(2)+O_(2) leaching process of uranium at the scale of large mining areas.

Comprehensive investigation on robust photocatalytic hydrogen production over C_(3)N_(5)

Carbon nitride has drawn numerous eyes in the past decade,whereas the photocatalytic performance is significantly limited by its wide band-gap(~2.7 e V for C_(3)N_(4))simultaneously.Recently,C_(3)N_(5)with narrower band-gap has been reported,however,a systematically investigation on its photoactivity for H_(2)production has not been reported.The present work demonstrates the synthesis of C_(3)N_(5)by thermal treatment of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole,and the photocatalytic performance for H_(2)production of C_(3)N_(5)is investigated comprehensively.Photocatalytic H_(2)production rate of C_(3)N_(5)is~2.2 times higher than that of C_(3)N_(4) with 1.0 wt%Pt as co-catalyst,and series of experiments are carried out to explore the behind elements accounting for the high photoactivity.Combining the results of DRS,PL and photocurrent,it is found that C_(3)N_(5)possesses wider visible light absorption region,lower band-gap and quicker photogenerated e^(-)/h^(+)separation efficiency.Moreover,characterizations including in-situ DRIFTS are adopted to monitor the adsorption property of H_(2)O on C_(3)N_(5),which plays a significant role in surface water reduction reaction,and higher amount of adsorbed H_(2)O molecules on C_(3)N_(5)is confirmed.The present work exhibits new insights into the high photocatalytic performance of N-rich carbon nitride catalysts.

Factors influencing in-situ leaching of uranium mining in a sandstone deposit in Shihongtan, Northwest China

The Shihongtan uranium deposit in northwest China is a sandstone-type deposit suitable for alkaline in-situ leaching exploitation of uranium. Alkaline leaching tends to result in CaCO3 precipitation there by affecting the porosity of the ore-bearing aquifer. CaCO3 deposits can also block pumping and injection holes if the formulation parameters of the leaching solution are not well controlled. However, controlling these parameters to operate the in-situ leaching process is challenging. Our study demonstrates that the dissolved uranium concentration in the leaching solution increases as HCO3-concentration increases. Therefore, the most suitable HCO3-concentration to use as leaching solution is defined by the boundary value of the HCO3-concentration that controls CaCO3 dissolution-precipitation. That is, the dissolution and precipitation of calcite is closely related to pH, Ca2+ and HCO3-concentration. The pH and Ca2+ concentration are the main factors limiting HCO3-concentration in the leaching solution. The higher the pH and Ca2+ concentration, the lower the boundary value of HCO3-concentration, and therefore the more unfavorable to in-situ leaching of uranium.

A conformal titanyl phosphate amorphous overlayer for enhancing photoelectrochemical hydrogen peroxide production

Photoelectrochemical(PEC)H_(2)O_(2)production through water oxidation reaction(WOR)is a promising strategy,however,designing highly efficient and selective photoanode materials remains challenging due to competitive reaction pathways.Here,for highly enhanced PEC H_(2)O_(2)production,we present a conformal amorphous titanyl phosphate(a-TP)overlayer on nanoparticulate TiO_(2)surfaces,achieved via lysozyme-molded in-situ surface reforming.The a-TP overlayer modulates surface adsorption energies for reaction intermediates,favoring WOR for H_(2)O_(2)production over the competing O_(2)evolution reaction.Our density functional theory calculations reveal that a-TP/TiO_(2)exhibits a substantial energy uphill for the O·*formation pathway,which disfavors O_(2)evolution but promotes H_(2)O_(2)production.Additionally,the a-TP overlayer strengthens the built-in electric field,resulting in favorable kinetics.Consequently,a-TP/TiO_(2)exhibits 3.7-fold higher Faraday efficiency(FE)of 63%at 1.76 V vs.reversible hydrogen electrode(RHE)under 1 sun illumination,compared to bare TiO_(2)(17%),representing the highest FE among TiO_(2)-based WOR H_(2)O_(2)production systems.Employing the a-TP overlayer constitutes a promising strategy for controlling reaction pathways and achieving efficient solar-to-chemical energy conversion.

Studies on Production Planning of Dispersion Type U3Si2-Al Fuel in Plate-Type Fuel Elements for Nuclear Research Reactors

Several fuel plants that supply nuclear research reactors need to increase their production capacity in order to meet the growing demand for this kind of nuclear fuel. After the enlargement of the production capacity of such plants, there will be the need of managing the new production level. That level is usually the industrial one, which poses challenges to the managerial staff. Such challenges come from the fact that several of those plants operate today on a laboratorial basis and do not carry inventory. The change to the industrial production pace asks for new actions regarding planning and control. The production process based on the hydrolysis of UF6 is not a frequent production route for nuclear fuel. Production planning and control of the industrial level of fuel production on that production route is a new field of studies. The approach of the paper consists in the creation of a mathematical linear model for minimization of costs. We also carried out a sensitivity analysis of the model. The results help in minimizing costs in different production schemes and show the need of inventory. The mathematical model is dynamic, so that it issues better results if performed monthly. The management team will therefore have a clearer view of the costs and of the new, necessary production and inventory levels.

Oxidation of emerging organic contaminants by in-situ H_(2)O_(2) fenton system

The existence and risk of emerging organic contaminants(EOCs)have been under consideration and paid much effort to degrade these pollutants.Fenton system is one of the most widely used technologies to solve this problem.The original Fenton system relies on the hydroxyl radicals produced by Fe(Ⅱ)/H_(2)O_(2) to oxidize the organic contaminants.However,the application of the Fenton system is limited by its low iron cycling efficiency and the high risks of hydrogen peroxide transportation and storage.The introduction of external energy(including light and electricity etc.)can effectively promote the Fe(Ⅲ)/Fe(Ⅱ)cycle and the reduction of oxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide in situ.This review introduces three in-situ Fenton systems,which are electro-Fenton,Photo-Fenton,and chemical reaction.The mechanism,influencing factors,and catalysts of these three in-situ Fenton systems in degrading EOCs are discussed systematically.This review strengthens the understanding of Fenton and in-situ Fenton systems in degradation,offering further insight into the real application of the in-situ Fenton system in the removal of EOCs.

Constraints on granite-related uranium mineralization in the Sanjiu uranium ore field,SE China provided by pyrite mineralogy,major and trace elements,S-He-Ar isotopes

The Sanjiu uranium ore field,located in the central of Zhuguangshan granitic batholith,is a newly discovered granite-related uranium ore field in South China.The main sulfide in the ore field is pyrite,which is closely related to uranium mineralization.The textures major and trace elements,S-He-Ar isotopes compositions of pyrites in ores of different grade were observed and/or analyzed by optical microscope,scanning electron microscope,electron microprobe,laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry,and noble gas mass spectrometer(Helix-SFT).It is observed that these U-related pyrites are generally euhedral-subhedral with dissolution textures,anhedral variety with colloform texture veinlet and fine particles,and the color of the associated minerals is mostly dark hue,such as purple-black fluorite dark-red hematite,and dark-green chlorite,etc.The analytical results show that the average compositions of major elements in pyrite are FeS1.944.Pyrites are characterized by S-deficiency,low content of Co and Th,and Co/Ni>1which indicate that these ores are of low-temperature hydrothermal origin.We found that the higher the grade of ore,the more deficient in S,the more obvious negative δ^34S,and the higher REE content(close to U-rich granitic pluton)of pyrite.The S-He-Ar isotopic compositions of various varieties of pyrites indicate that the ore-forming fluids mainly come from crust-derived fluids and mixed with mantle-derived fluids.

Development and Prospect of China Uranium Mining and Metallurgy

The development of industry of uranium mining and metallurgy in China has been reviewed generally,emphasizing on investigation approaches and application levels of uranium mining technologies such as in-situ leaching,heap leaching,stope leaching:on the basis of analysis on status of uranium mining and metallurgy and problems existed,also considering the specific features of deposit resources,the development orientation of uranium mining and metallurgy in China is pointed out.The industry of China uranium mining and metallurgy is faced to new opportunity of development and challenge in 21st century,the only way to realize sustainable development of uranium mining and metallurgy and harmonious development between economy and environment is to develop new technology on mining,ore beneficiation and metallurgy,increase the utilization level of uranium resources,low down impact on environment caused by mining and metallurgy.

Comparison of Radionuclide’s Inventories and Activities With Slightly Enriched Uranium and Plutonium Fuel in CANDU Reactors

In these studies the isotopic inventories and corresponding activities of important nuclides for different fuel cycles of a CANDU reactor have been compared. The calculations have been performed using the computer code WIMSD4. The isotopic inventories and activities have been calculated versus the fuel burn-up for the natural UO2 fuel, 1.2% enriched UO2 fuel and for the 0.45% PuO2-UO2 fuel. It is found that 1.2% enriched uranium fuel has the lowest activity as compared to other two fuel cycles and vice versa for the 0.45% PuO2-UO2 fuel.

Improving the activity of electrochemical reduction of CO_(2) to C_(1) products by oxidation derived copper catalyst

Cu-based electrocatalysts have become the focus in the field of electrochemical CO_(2) reduction reaction(ECO_(2) RR)due to their ability to produce multicarbon products.However,the research on generating single carbon products with higher economic feasibility via ECO_(2) RR based on Cu-based electrocatalysts is rather rare,and the roles of the surface architecture and oxides of the electrocatalysts have not been explained exactly.In this work,a two-step method including thermal oxidation and electroreduction is proposed to introduce Cuþinto pure Cu foil to form Cu_(2)O/Cu electrocatalyst.By regulating the surface composition and morphology of the electrocatalyst in this way,the activity of ECO 2 RR to C_(1) products has been greatly improved.The Faradaic efficiency of carbon products of the Cu_(2)O/Cu electrode reaches 84%at?0.7 V vs.RHE with good selectivity for HCOOH and CO.The current density of Cu_(2)O/Cu electrode reaches-12.21 mA cm^(2) at-0.8 V vs.RHE,which is much higher than that of the Cu foil electrode(?0.09 mA cm?2).In-situ Raman characterization shows that Cuþin Cu_(2)O/Cu electrode could inhibit hydrogen generation and promote ECO_(2) RR by stabilizing the adsorption of CO_(2).

In-situ stress of coal reservoirs in the Zhengzhuang area of the southern Qinshui Basin and its effects on coalbed methane development

In-situ stress is a critical factor influencing the permeability of coal reservoirs and the production capacity of coalbed methane(CBM)wells.Accurate prediction of in-situ stress and investigation of its influence on coal reservoir permeability and production capacity are significant for CBM development.This study investigated the CBM development zone in the Zhengzhuang area of the Qinshui Basin.According to the low mechanical strength of coal reservoirs,this study derived a calculation model of the in-situ stress of coal reservoirs based on the multi-loop hydraulic fracturing method and analyzed the impacts of initial fractures on the calculated results.Moreover,by combining the data such as the in-situ stress,permeability,and drainage and recovery data of CBM wells,this study revealed the spatial distribution patterns of the current in-situ stress of the coal reservoirs and discussed the impacts of the insitu stress on the permeability and production capacity.The results are as follows.(1)Under given fracturing pressure,longer initial fractures are associated with higher calculated maximum horizontal principal stress values.Therefore,ignoring the effects of the initial fractures will cause the calculated values of the in-situ stress to be less than the actual values.(2)As the burial depth increases,the fracturing pressure,closure pressure,and the maximum and minimum horizontal principal stress of the coal reservoirs in the Zhengzhuang area constantly increase.The average gradients of the maximum and minimum horizontal principal stress are 3.17 MPa/100 m and 2.05 MPa/100 m,respectively.(3)Coal reservoir permeability is significantly controlled by the magnitude and state of the current in-situ stress.The coal reservoir permeability decreases exponentially with an increase in the effective principal stress.Moreover,a low lateral pressure coefficient(less than 1)is associated with minor horizontal compressive effects and high coal reservoir permeability.(4)Under similar conditions,such as resource endowments,CBM well capacity is higher in primary structural coal regions with moderate paleotectonic stress modification,low current in-situ stress,and lateral pressure coefficient of less than 1.

Evaluation of Energy Consumption for Heating of Industrial Building in-Situ

Because of the high energy demand required to heat a production hall, the aim of this project is to find out whether it is possible to verify the heating consuming process for heating with the standard simplified calculation method [1], especially for cold regions such as Kosice (Slovakia). The energy requirement for heating a case study industrial building was evaluated using measurements and calculations.During the winter period, energy consumption was measured in the selected industrial building according to a validation standard [2]. The building is comprised of two halls. The measurements were analyzed according to the criteria used for validating residential and public buildings, with several regression dependencies taken into account in the resulting evaluation of heating energy consumption. The mathematical dependencies of measured values in real conditions are shown in this paper. In addition, the building’s heating energy demand was calculated according to the Austrian standard [3], ?NORM EN ISO 13790, the simplified calculation method for non-residential buildings. It was investigated whether the measured values could be replicated using this calculation. It was found that the precise definition of the internal heat gains is very important.

一株硫酸盐还原菌脱硫固铀性能及其固铀稳定性研究

从某铀矿山周边土壤中富集分离出一株硫酸盐还原菌A1_(S)XC21Q,研究了该菌株在不同pH、温度、SO_(4)^(2-)浓度下的脱硫和固铀性能,及其固铀产物的稳定性。结果表明:pH升高有利于该菌对SO_(4)^(2-)和铀的去除,初始pH为5.5~7.0条件下,SO_(4)^(2-)和铀的去除率均可达到95%以上;初始SO_(4)^(2-)浓度增加会降低菌株对SO_(4)^(2-)和铀的去除率,但在SO_(4)^(2-)浓度为2000 mg/L条件下,SO_(4)^(2-)和铀的去除率仍可达到75.42%和50.57%;温度升高可显著加速SO_(4)^(2-)和铀的去除,25~35℃条件下,SO_(4)^(2-)和铀的去除率均达到95%左右;A1 S XC21Q菌株可将富集于其表面的铀转移到细胞内部并形成多个“核状”磷酸铀酰络合物,形成的固铀产物稳定。从A1 S XC21Q菌脱硫固铀效果及其固铀产物稳定性来看,该菌有望用于后续酸法地浸铀矿山退役采区地下水生物修复技术试验研究中。

Hydrogen evolution reaction activity enhancement from active site turnover mechanism

Although heteroatom doping is an effective way to improve the catalytic activity of transition metal phosphides(TMPs),the mechanism of activity enhancement needs to be further refined.To this end,we synthesized a Co-doped Ni_(2)P catalyst as a research model and found that the introduction of heterogeneous Co reconstructed the charge distribution around the P site,which effectively enhanced the hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)activity of the pure Ni_(2)P.Based on in-situ Raman real-time monitoring technology,we monitored for the first time that Co doping triggered a switch of the active site(from the original Co-active site to the P-active site),which promoted the adsorption of H_(2)O to enhance the HER activity.The density functional theory(DFT)calculations indicated that the P site of Co-Ni_(2)P expressed the highest activity and the Ni site of pure Ni_(2)P expressed the highest activity,which further confirms the in-situ Raman monitoring results.The active site turnover mechanism discovered in this study will undoubtedly provide more rational and targeted ideas for future catalyst design.

Identifying the active photocatalytic H2-production sites on TiO2-supported Pt nanoparticles by the in-situ infrared spectrum of CO

Identifying the active catalytic centers on catalyst surface is significant for exploring the catalytic reaction mechanism and further guiding the synthesis of high-performance catalysts.However,it remains a challange in developing the site-specific technology for the identification of the active catalytic centers.Herein,in-situ infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed CO,photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)test and theoretical simulation were used to distinguish and quantify the different surface sites and their H2-production catalytic activity on TiO2-supported Pt nanoparticles(Pt NPs).Two different types of surface Pt sites,tip Pt(Pttip)and edge/terrace Ptedge/terrace,on TiO2-supported Pt nanoparticles(Pt NPs)were identified.The photocatalytic H2-production activity of TiO2-supported Pt NPs shows a linear functional relationship with the number of Pttip sites.However,the number of Ptedge/terracesites produced little effect on the activity of TiO2-supported Pt NPs.First-principle simulations confirmed that H2-evolution at the Pttipsites owns a lower energy barrier than that at Ptedge/terrace.This findings would be helpful for the fabrication of high-performance Pt catalysts.

Radioactive contamination of the environment as a result of uranium production:a case study at the abandoned Lincang uranium mine,Yunnan Province,China

The distribution of radioactive pollutants, such as ^(222)Rn, U, Th and ^(226)Ra in the air, sur- face waters, soils and crops around the Lincang uranium mine, Yunnan Province, China, is studied The mechanical, geochemical and biogeochemical processes responsible for the transport and fate of the radioactive elements are discussed based on the monitoring data. The pollutants con- centrations of effluents from the mine tunnels were dependent on pH and SO_4^(2-) which were con- trolled by biochemical oxidation of sulfide in the ore/host rocks. Radon anomalies in air reached 4 km from the tailings pile depending on radon release from the site, topography and climate. ^(238)U and ^(226)Ra abnormities in stream sediments and soil were 40-90 cm deep and 790-800 m away downstream. Anomalies of radioactive contaminants of surface watercourses extended 7.5-13 km from the discharge of effluents of the site mainly depending on mechanical and chemical proc- esses. There were about 2.86 ha rice fields and 1.59 km stream sediments contaminated. Erosion of tailings and mining debris with little or no containment or control accelerated the contamination processes.

二氧化铀产品堆密度提升研究

为提升二氧化铀产品品质,分析了铀纯化新老生产线二氧化铀产品的堆密度,发现铀纯化老生产线产品堆密度均高于新生产线产品的堆密度。分析其主要原因是新生产线结晶剂浓度波动较大,导致三碳酸铀酰铵的结晶效果变差,晶体粒径变小,进而影响了晶体煅烧效果和二氧化铀产品堆密度。通过将新老生产线碳酸铵配制岗位合并,统一、就近供应结晶剂,对回收的碳酸铵溶液进行增浓,并用蒸汽冲洗输送管道,解决了新生产线结晶效果波动问题,使新生产线二氧化铀产品平均堆密度提升了5.71%,平均每桶产品净重提升了4.73%,并提升了二氧化铀的产品品质。

天然二氧化铀产品质量薄弱环节分析

在二氧化铀生产中,煅烧工序是影响二氧化铀产品(四价铀)指标的关键环节。基于三碳酸铀酰铵分解还原生成二氧化铀的机理,分析了影响四价铀产品质量的主要因素与控制手段,发现由于二氧化铀被氧化导致四价铀不合格是无法被直观测量的,但又是最主要的影响因素。从物料异常、设备故障、异常操作等方面总结了四价铀不合格的原因,其中设备故障与异常操作极易引起二氧化铀被氧化,从而导致四价铀不合格。因此,天然二氧化铀生产的质量薄弱环节主要在于三碳酸铀酰铵的煅烧设备故障与冷却过程的异常操作。

溶液制样—波长色散X射线荧光光谱法测定天然铀产品中的铀含量

采用溶液制样,以碳酸锶为内标物,建立了用波长色散X射线荧光光谱法测定天然铀产品(U_(3)O_(8))中铀含量的方法。样品称样质量为1.00 g,内标物碳酸锶称样质量为0.600 g,采用15 mL磷酸和2 mL硝酸消解样品,定容至200 mL后,用磁力搅拌混匀,采用一次性塑料吸管和电子秤控制取液体积。仪器测量条件选择特征X谱线:U-L_(α1),Sr-K_(α1),通道面罩34 mm,初级准直器150μm。该方法工作曲线的线性相关系数为0.999 8,相对标准偏差(RSD)为0.031%~0.050%,精密度较好;测定结果与标准物质推荐值之间的相对误差不劣于0.034%,准确度较好。与电位滴定法对比,该法绝对偏差为0.010%~0.126%,结果准确可靠,能够满足天然铀产品快速批量分析的要求。