Technetium-99 removal from process solutions and contaminated groundwater
Abstract
The predominant form of technetium under oxic conditions is the pertechnetate anion (TcO{sub 4}{sup {minus}}), which is highly soluble in water and readily mobile in the environment. Technetium-99 is of particular concern because of its persistence and mobility. Various equipment decontamination and uranium recovery operations at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant generate a `raffinate` waste stream characterized by toxic heavy metals, high concentration of nitric acid, and low levels of radionuclides ({sup 235}U and {sup 99}Tc). Dilution and adjustment of solution pH to a value of 8.2 to 8.5 precipitates a heavy-metals-sludge and a filtrate. The removal of {sup 99}Tc from these waste streams and from contaminated groundwater can be accomplished using anionic ion-exchange resins. Batch equilibrium and packed column breakthrough and regeneration studies were performed using inorganic sorbents and organic ion-exchange resins (Dowex SRB-OH and Reillex resins). These studies were performed on actual and surrogate raw raffinates, filtrates, and surrogate groundwater samples. The experimental conditions were chosen to closely represent the actual process.
- Authors:
-
- Oak Ridge K-25 Site, TN (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 145149
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-911049-
Journal ID: SSTEDS; ISSN 0149-6395; TRN: TRN: 93:000018-031
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- Resource Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal Name:
- Separation Science and Technology
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 28; Journal Issue: 1-3; Conference: 7. symposium on separation science and technology for energy applications, Knoxville, TN (United States), 20-24 Oct 1991; Other Information: PBD: Jan-Feb 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 40 CHEMISTRY; TECHNETIUM 99; MATERIALS RECOVERY; URANIUM 235; RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS; PROCESSING; ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS; GROUND WATER; PACKED BEDS
Citation Formats
Del Cul, G D, Bostick, W D, Trotter, D R, and Osborne, P E. Technetium-99 removal from process solutions and contaminated groundwater. United States: N. p., 1993.
Web. doi:10.1080/01496399308019506.
Del Cul, G D, Bostick, W D, Trotter, D R, & Osborne, P E. Technetium-99 removal from process solutions and contaminated groundwater. United States. https://doi.org/10.1080/01496399308019506
Del Cul, G D, Bostick, W D, Trotter, D R, and Osborne, P E. Fri .
"Technetium-99 removal from process solutions and contaminated groundwater". United States. https://doi.org/10.1080/01496399308019506.
@article{osti_145149,
title = {Technetium-99 removal from process solutions and contaminated groundwater},
author = {Del Cul, G D and Bostick, W D and Trotter, D R and Osborne, P E},
abstractNote = {The predominant form of technetium under oxic conditions is the pertechnetate anion (TcO{sub 4}{sup {minus}}), which is highly soluble in water and readily mobile in the environment. Technetium-99 is of particular concern because of its persistence and mobility. Various equipment decontamination and uranium recovery operations at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant generate a `raffinate` waste stream characterized by toxic heavy metals, high concentration of nitric acid, and low levels of radionuclides ({sup 235}U and {sup 99}Tc). Dilution and adjustment of solution pH to a value of 8.2 to 8.5 precipitates a heavy-metals-sludge and a filtrate. The removal of {sup 99}Tc from these waste streams and from contaminated groundwater can be accomplished using anionic ion-exchange resins. Batch equilibrium and packed column breakthrough and regeneration studies were performed using inorganic sorbents and organic ion-exchange resins (Dowex SRB-OH and Reillex resins). These studies were performed on actual and surrogate raw raffinates, filtrates, and surrogate groundwater samples. The experimental conditions were chosen to closely represent the actual process.},
doi = {10.1080/01496399308019506},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/145149},
journal = {Separation Science and Technology},
number = 1-3,
volume = 28,
place = {United States},
year = {1993},
month = {1}
}