Optimization and Dissolution Kinetics of a Nigerian Monazite Ore Using H2SO4

Abstract

This study presents the optimization and kinetic evaluation of thorium recovery from monazite ore sourced from Plateau State, Nigeria with the use of sulphuric acid as a leaching agent. The objective was to ascertain the optimal conditions for thorium recovery and to understand the kinetics involved in the process. A central composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to evaluate the effects of the following process parameters – acid concentration, reaction temperature and leaching time on thorium extraction. The results showed that the leaching efficiency was significantly impacted by the acid concentration, reaction temperature and the leaching time. The kinetic studies showed that the leaching process followed a shrinking core model with diffusion as the rate controlling step. These findings demonstrate the viability of thorium recovery with sulphuric acid from Nigerian monazite and provide a good basis to scale up the process for nuclear fuel material development.