SORPTION TECHNOLOGY FOR REMOVAL OF CESIUM-137 FROM SOLUTIONS OF SPENT NUCLEAR-FUEL REPROCESSING

A study has been made of sorption characteristics of sorbents based on copper, nickel, and zinc ferrocyanides with respect to cesium ions. The capacity of sorbents with respect to cesium sorbed from a cesium nitrate solution and solution modeling the raffinate of the Purer process was determined. The reversibility of the sorption process involving nickel and zinc ferrocyanides is destroyed when the sorbents contact the model solution. The sorbent based on copper ferrocyanide (FS-10) is the most promising for removing cesium-137 from solutions of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing in the sorption-desorption-regeneration mode. Efficient sorption of cesium from nitric acid solutions occurs in the presence of hydrazine compounds. Desorption of cesium was performed by a 6-10 M nitric acid solution. On the basis of the data obtained, a sorption technology for removal of Cs-137 from solutions of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing was developed and put into operation at the Mayak Plant.