A. Motl

Cesium sorption from concentrated acidic tank wastes using ammonium molybdophosphate-polyacrylonitrile composite sorbents

Ammonium molybdophosphate-polyacrylonitrile (AMP-PAN) composite sorbents have been evaluated for the removal of cesium from Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) concentrated acidic tank waste. Batch contacts were performed to qualitatively evaluate the effects of increased nitric acid, sodium and potassium. An equilibrium isotherm was generated with simulated concentrated tank waste solutions and fit to the Langmuir equation. Additional batch contact experiments were performed to determine if mercury, plutonium and americium would sorb onto AMP-PAN. Dynamic sorption was evaluated in column tests employing 1.5 cm3 columns operating at 5, 10 and 20 bed volumes of flow per hour. Results indicate, as expected, that dynamic cesium sorption capacity is reduced as the flowrate is increased. Calculated dynamic capacities for cesium were 22.5, 19.8 and 19.6 mg Cs/g sorbent, for 5, 10 and 20 bed volume per hour flows, respectively. The thermal stability of loaded AMP-PAN was evaluated by performing thermogrovimetric analysis (TGA) on samples of AMP, PAN (polymer), and AMP-PAN. Results indicate that AMP-PAN is stable to 400 °C, with less than a 10% loss of weight, which is at least partially due to loss of water of hydration. The evaluation of AMP-PAN indicates that it will effectively remove cesium from concentrated acidic tank waste solutions.

Phase 2 report on the evaluation of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as a binding polymer for absorbers used to treat liquid radioactive wastes

The performance of PAN-based composite absorbers was evaluated in dynamic experiments at flow rates ranging from 25--100 bed volumes (BV) per hour. Composite absorbers with active components of ammonium molybdophosphate (AMP) PAN and K-Co ferrocyanide (KCoFC) PAN were used for separating Cs from a 1 M HNO{sub 3} + 1 M NaNO{sub 3} + 2 {times} 10{sup {minus}5} M CsCl acidic simulant solution. KCoFC-PAN and two other FC-based composite absorbers were tested for separating Cs from alkaline simulant solutions containing 0.01 M to 1 M NaOH and 1 M NaNO{sub 3} + x {times} 10{sup {minus}4} M CsCl. The efficiency of the Cs sorption on the AMP-PAN absorber from acidic simulant solutions was negatively influenced by the dissolution of the AMP active component. At flow rates of 50 BV/hr, the decontamination factor of about 10{sup 3} could be maintained for treatment of 380 BV of the feed. With the KCoFC-PAN absorber, the decontamination factor of about 10{sup 3} could be maintained for a feed volume as great as 1,800 BV. In alkaline simulant solutions, significant decomposition of the active components was observed, and the best performance was exhibited by the KCoFC-PAN absorber. Introductory experiments confirmed that Cs may be washed out of the composite absorbers. Regeneration of both absorbers for repetitive use was also found to be possible. The main result of the study is that PAN was proven to be a versatile polymer capable of forming porous composite absorbers with a large number of primary absorbers. The composite absorbers proved to be capable of withstanding the harsh acidic and alkaline conditions and significant radiation doses that may be expected in the treatment of US DOE wastes. A field demonstration is proposed as a follow-on activity.

Composite absorbers of inorganic ion-exchangers and polyacrylonitril e binding matrix V. Influence of ionising radiation on the leachability of t37Cs from cemented composite NiFC-PAN absorber

Methods of preparation of granules of inorganic ion exchangers as well as methods for improvement of granular strength of these materials are reviewed. The resulting ion exchangers are classified in three groups—“intrinsic”, supported and composite ion exchangers. Their properties are compared and possibilities of their technological application are evaluated. A new method of preparation of inorganic-organic composite sorbents of inorganic ion-exchangers and polyacrylonitrile binding matrix is described, advantages and disadvantages of such sorbents are discussed. Proposed fields of application include tratment of liquid radioactive and/or hazardous wastes, decontamination of natural water as well as analytical applications.

Composite absorbers consisting of inorganic ion-exchangers and polyacrylonitrile binding matrix

Both cementation and vitrification was shown by preliminary experiments to be applicable for treatment of the spent composite absorbers with polyacrylonitrile binding matrix for final disposal. Loadings of cement mix with composite absorbers up to 5–9% (w/w) were achieved Admixtures of natural clinoptilolite were found to improve compressive strength of the samples. The presence of PAN binding polymer was found not to disqualify the composite absorber tested from final treatment by vitrification.

Application of New Inorganic-Organic Composite Absorbers with Polyacrylonitrile Binding Matrix for Separation of Radionuclides from Liquid Radioactive Wastes

Inorganic-organic composite absorbers consisting of finely divided inorganic ion-exchangers incorporated into a binding matrix of modified polyacrylonitrile are described. List of the available absorbers is given. Their properties (namely chemical and radiation stability) are specified. Examples of application for the treatment of liquid radioactive waste of various origin are described in detail. Further, possibilities of absorbers regeneration and treatment for final disposal are discussed.

The Dose Absorbed by an Ion‐Exchanger in a Column for the Separation of 137Cs

Abstract The case of an ion‐exchanger used for the separation of radiocesium from a liquid radioactive waste is analyzed. A simple method enabling the evaluation of the radiation‐dose imparted by 137Cs and its daughter 137mBa to the exchanger during the column operation is described. Using the technical data obtained during a full‐scale application of a composite inorganic‐organic ion‐exchanger NiFC‐PAN, the dose absorbed by the exchanger is calculated.