Open AccessION EXCHANGE SEPARATION OF CESIUM FROM ALKALINE WASTE SUPERNATANT SOLUTIONS
Author(s) -
Jack L. Nelson,
B.W. Mercer
Publication year - 1963
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/4141618
Subject(s) - caesium , chemistry , sodium carbonate , ion exchange , sodium hydroxide , ammonium , ammonium hydroxide , zeolite , ammonium carbonate , elution , carbonate , hydroxide , inorganic chemistry , nuclear chemistry , sodium , chromatography , ion , catalysis , organic chemistry
Cesium separation from Purex alkaline supernatant waste by ion exchange with inorganic zeolites or phenolic resins was investigated. High cesium loadings were obtained with AW-400, a synthetic zeolite manufactured by the Linde Company. A disadvantage of the AW-400 is the poor quality of the binder; efforts are being made to obtain a more suitable binder. Optimum loading conditions appear to be a flow rate of one to two column volumes of actual waste per hour, with 20-50 mesh exchanger at a temperature of 25 deg C. A scrub or sodium removal step can be accomplished with several solutions; dilute ammonium carbonate solutions are preferred for aged alkaline supernatant wastes. Cesium is eluted with a solution of ammonium carbonate and ammonium hydroxide. Exchangers that are most selective for cesium and have the highest loadings also require the greatest elution volumes. Ammonium carbonate can be volatilized by heating, leaving a cesium solution that is very satisfactory for subsequent packaging operations. Under practical conditions a Cs/Na DF of 10/sup 3/ and cesium recovery of > 99% can be obtained. (auth