Comparison of ⁹⁹Tc removal from low level liquid waste using inorganic sorbents and anionic ion exchanger

The removal of Technetium-99 from low level alkaline radioactive waste was investigated and compared using two inorganic sorbents (dunite and titania microspheres) and a commercial anion exchanger (Purolite A530E). Effective removal of ⁹⁹Tc was observed with Purolite A530E in batch studies while less uptake was observed by the sorbents dunite and titania microspheres. There was about 79%, 85% and 92% uptake of ⁹⁹Tc by Purolite A530E at pH viz. 3, 7 and 11 respectively. The column performance of the material was evaluated using a glass column with 4mL resin. Presence of ⁹⁹Tc was below detection limit even after the passage of 80 bed volumes of waste. (author)