Application of Granulated Glauconite and a Sorbent Modified on its Basis in the Processes of Water Systems Purification from Cesium Radio Nuclides

High effectiveness of the granulated glauconite and nickel-cadmium sorbent modified with mixed ferrocyanide on its basis application as a filter bed for water solution purification from cesium radio nuclides has been demonstrated. Meeting of the developed sorbents mechanical strength of the GOST requirements to filtering grained materials has been stated. Results of the investigation of the sorption concentration of 137Cs radio nuclide from water solutions with experimental samples in static and dynamic conditions have been presented. The modified sorbent has shown an increased specificity in respect of 137Cs. The developed sorbents’obtained static exchange capacity in terms of 137Cs is estimated by the value >30 mg/g. Cesium sorption with the sorbents under study time dependencies have been obtained. It has been stated that the sorbent modification causes the process speed constant increase at the starting section of the kinetic curve. Output curves of the cesium sorption with the developed sorbents in dynamic regime are presented. Distribution coefficients for 137Cs obtained in dynamic conditions for the modified sorbent are one order of magnitude higher than that for granulated glauconite. During filtration of 34500 ml of water solution (≈ 8600 unit’s volumes) the fault did not exceeded 6 %. The obtained experimental data enable to recommend both granulated glauconite and its modified analog as a filter bed. For the first time it has been shown that the use of the modified sorbent allows to increase the treatment facilities filtering cycle. The sorbents developed on the basis of local natural materials can be applied in the water system treatment techniques for purification from cesium radio nuclide.