Sorption of Cesium from Alkaline Solutions onto Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Sorbents

Abstract

The performance of various phenolic ion exchangers in ¹³⁷Cs sorption was studied. Resorcinol-formaldehyde sorbents (RFSs) produced by Axion—Rare and Noble Metals Joint-Stock Company (Russia) of the AXIONIT RCs grade exhibit the best sorption parameters. Ion-exchange materials based on RFSs efficiently take up ¹³⁷Cs from solutions with pH > 10 in the presence of prevalent amounts of Na⁺ and K⁺ ions. Sorbents of AXIONIT RCs grade can be used in repeated sorption-desorption-regeneration cycles. Complete desorption of ¹³⁷Cs is reached on passing 5–10 column volumes of 0.5–1.0 M HNO₃ solutions. The possibility of using RFSs for ¹³⁷Cs removal from model solutions simulating NPP bottom residues and for treatment of real liquid high-level waste, clarified phase from HLW storage tanks of the Radiochemical Plant of the Mayak Production Association, to remove cesium radionuclides was demonstrated.