Removal of ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra from TENORM sludge waste using surfactants solutions

The feasibility of using surfactants as extracting agent for the removal of radium species from TENORM sludge produced from petroleum industry is evaluated. In this investigation cationic and nonionic surfactants were used as extracting agents for the removal of radium radionuclides from the sludge waste. Two surfactants namely cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and Triton X-100 (TX100) were investigated as the extracting agents. Different parameters affecting the removal of both ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra by the two surfactants as well as their admixture were studied by the batch technique. These parameters include effect of shaking time, surfactants concentration and temperature as well as the effect of surfactants admixture. It was found that, higher solution temperature improves the removal efficiency of radium species. Combined extraction of nonionic and cationic surfactants produces synergistic effect in removal both ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra, where the removals reached 84% and 80% for ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra, respectively, were obtained using surfactants admixture. - Highlights: • Novel approach of chemical treatment of TENORM was studied. • Significant level of ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra is found in sludge waste. • Preliminary study of removal ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra from TENORM was studied