Removal of n-tributyl phosphate from synthetic intermediate level waste

Experiments were carried out on the removal on n-tributyl phosphate (TBP) from the synthetic effluents of intermediate level waste (ILW). The candidate materials selected for this study were XAD-4 resin, Tulsion-A-72 MP resin, activated charcoal, and polyurethane foam. These materials were characterized for their distribution coefficients of TBP in a TBP-ethanol-water medium. XAD resin and PU foam showed better removal of TBP. To understand the mechanism of removal of TBP by the candidate materials, such physical properties as specific surface area, pore size distribution, and zeta potentials were determined. The zeta potential of the TBP in an ethanol-water medium was measured. The pore size distribution compared to the specific surface area and surface charges of the samples played an important role in the removal of TBP. XAD-4 resin was used in column studies for the removal of TBP from synthetic ILW. About 13,500 bed volumes of ILW could be passed before a 0.1% breakthrough capacity was attained