Modified Sorbents Based on BAU-A Activated Carbon and Coarsely Porous Silica Gel for Removing Radionuclides and Nonferrous Metals from Aqueous Solutions

• Published in: Radiochemistry (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2019, Vol.61 (1), p.18-27
• Main Authors: Kulyukhin, S. A., Gorbacheva, M. P., Krasavina, E. P., Rumer, I. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Actinides; Activated carbon; Aqueous solutions; Cesium 137; Cesium isotopes; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Copper; Distilled water; Drinking water; Granulation; Impregnation; Lanthanides; Lead; Nickel; Nitration; Nonferrous metals; Nuclear Chemistry; Radioisotopes; Silica; Silica gel; Silicon dioxide; Sorbents; Sorption; Strontium 90; Triethanolamine; Yttrium isotopes; Zinc
• ISSN: 1066-3622; 1608-3288
• DOI: 10.1134/S1066362219010041

Sorption of radionuclides ( 90 Sr, 90 Y, 137 Cs, 152 Eu) and nonferrous metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb) from aqueous solutions onto granulated sorbents based on coarsely porous silica gel of KSKG and MSKG grades and on BAU-A activated carbon was studied. The granulated sorbents based on coarsely porous silica gel of KSKG and MSKG grades, modified with Cu, Zn, and Ni ferrocyanides, efficiently take up 90 Sr and 90 Y from distilled water. In tap water, the sorption efficiency for all the sorbents based on KSKG and MSKG does not exceed 70%. The surface of BAU-A was modified by keeping it in a nitrating atmosphere [NO x -air or HNO 3 (vapor)-air] at 90–110°C for 4 h, and also by impregnating it with 10 wt % triethanolamine (TEA), triethylenediamine (TEDA), or urea (CH 4 N 2 O). The sorbents based on BAU-A activated carbon efficiently take up 90 Y (analog of trivalent actinides and lanthanides) and nonferrous metal ions from various aqueous solutions. Modification of BAU-A decreases its sorption capacity for Cu 2+ , Ni 2+ , and Zn 2+ but increases its sorption capacity for Pb 2+ .