Chinese breakthrough in uranium extraction from seawater
Chinese researchers have developed an innovative technique for extracting uranium from seawater, which is more efficient and economical than previous methods. This discovery could significantly advance the development of nuclear energy and enable China to achieve independence from importing this valuable resource.
Chinese scientists from Hunan University, led by Shuangyin Wang, have created a new method for obtaining uranium from seawater that is significantly cheaper and more efficient than previous techniques. As reported by Nature Sustainability, this could revolutionise the way we acquire this valuable resource.
Seawater contains all the elements found in the Earth's crust, including uranium, with a concentration averaging 3.3 parts per billion. Although uranium in the oceans exceeds 4.5 billion metric tonnes, its extraction is challenging due to the low concentration. Previous methods, such as electrochemical extraction, were energy-intensive and inefficient.
The new technique, called "bipolar system for electrochemical uranium extraction" (EUE), uses two copper electrodes, allowing uranium precipitation at a low voltage of 0.6 volts. This system achieves an efficiency close to 100% and is significantly more selective than previous methods.
Economic and environmental benefits
The new method is not only more efficient but also more economical. The cost of extracting uranium is about £67 per kilogram, half that of previous methods. Additionally, the system uses less energy, making it more environmentally friendly.
Tests conducted using water from the East and South China Seas have demonstrated that this method can extract 100% of the uranium from the water. This enables China to reduce its reliance on uranium imports from countries such as Kazakhstan, Canada, or Australia, which account for the majority of global production of this crucial raw material for nuclear power plants.
The development of this technology could also help mitigate radioactive threats in China, where coal often contains significant amounts of uranium. The new method can support the development of nuclear energy, and the People's Republic of China is a world leader in this area.
