Uranium laboratory

The Uranium Laboratory has highly qualified personnel and rich experience in scientific and research works in the following areas:

• development, modernization and improvement of technologies for hydrometallurgical processing and powder metallurgy of Uranium;
• optimization of handling of waste from UMP JSC’s operating activities;

other works not related to the Uranium Operations (UO) main activity.

Almost all technologies applied in UMP JSC Uranium Operations (UO) were developed and implemented in the Laboratory:

• processing of chemical concentrate of natural uranium (yellow cake) to triuranium octoxide of technical and nuclear grade;
• production of nuclear grade uranium dioxide powders;
• production of fuel pellets for thermal power reactors of various designs;
• processing of Uranium containing materials (scraps) with various compositions and origin to nuclear grade Uranium oxide powders;
• processing of highly enriched Uranium (HEU) products to low enriched Uranium (LEU) products to ensure HEU non-proliferation.

Along with research works related to UMP JSC operational activities, the Uranium Laboratory also conducts research works aimed at solving the problems of other nuclear fuel cycle enterprises. These include the following areas:

• research of the processes of hydrochemical opening of Uranium concentrates or scrap under optimal conditions to achieve maximum extraction of useful component into solution;
• research aimed at development of optimal modes for manufacturing processes for the purpose to form technological properties of Uranium oxide powders;
• research and selection of suspensions clarification/concentration modes using ultrafiltration method;
• research and development of technology for extraction concentrating and refining of metals using various extraction systems;
• research and development of technologies for sorption refining and concentration of rare, radioactive and rare earth metals;
• research of underground metal leaching processes;
• research of Uranium precipitation from commercial rich eluate solutions, pulp filtration optimization;
• production of fuel pellets for research reactors.