The use of columns of the zeolite clinoptilolite in the remediation of aqueous nuclear waste streams

Dyer, A; Hriljac, J; Evans, N; Stokes, I; Rand, P; Kellet, S; Harjula, R; Moller, T; Maher, Z; Heatlie-Branson, R; Austin, J; Williamson-Owens, S; Higgins-Bos, M; Smith, K; O’Brien, L; Smith, N; Bryan, N

Abstract

Mud Hills clinoptilolite has been used in an effluent treatment plant (SIXEP) at the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing site. This material has been used to remove 134/137Cs and 90Sr successfully from effluents for 3 decades. Samples of the zeolite have been tested in column experiments to determine their ability to remove radioactive Cs+ and Sr2+ ions under increasing concentrations of competing ions, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+. These ions caused increased elution of Cs+ and Sr2+. Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ were more effective competitors than Na+. For Na+, it was found that if concentration was reduced, then column performance recovered rapidly.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Nov 22, 2018
• Publication Date: Nov 22, 2018
• Deposit Date: Dec 3, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 3, 2018
• Journal: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
• Print ISSN: 0236-5731
• Electronic ISSN: 1588-2780
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Volume: 318
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 2473-2491
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-018-6329-8
• Keywords: Article, Ion exchange, Clinoptilolite, Caesium, Strontium, Effluent treatment
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-018-6329-8
• Additional Information: Funders : Sellafield Limited