A thermodynamic analysis of the steam ejector,uranium leach,slurry-to-slurry heat exchanger

The primary chemical step in the recovery of uranium oxide (U₃O₈) from ore in South Africa's uranium plants is thesulphuric acid teaching of slurries of the ore in water. The reaction is promoted by live steam injection to elevate temperatures to about 70°C. Up to 50 per cent of this heat can be recycled by slurry-to-slurry heat excange. However conventional equipment relying on conduction has proved inadequate in this duty owing to problems of solids settling. The evaporator/condenser exchanger is more appropriate. Its thermodynamics are explained and design equations developed.