Investigation on natural calcium clinoptilolite intended for its application for purification of water containing cesium, strontium and cobalt isotopes

The results of investigations on behaviour of the natural calcium clinoptilolite in sorption of the radioactive nuclides of cesium, strontium and cobalt from liquid radioactive wastes are discussed. The results of determination of calcium clinoptilolite capacity with respect to cesium, strontium and cobalt are given. Capacity determination was made by the methods of radiometry and complexometry. Reserach was done in static and dynamic conditions. The results obtained has shown that in contrary to the sodium-potassium clinoptilolite, the calcium clinoptilolite has high sorption capacity with respect not only to cesium but also with respect to strontium. There is increase of capacity by 50% with respect to cobalt. The investigations were made on the natural sorbent selectivity with respect to three elements in presence of sodium, which normally presents in substantial amounts in liquid ra. dioactive wastes. The results obtained has shown the high selectivity of the sorbent with respect to cesium and strontium. Sorption of cobalt in presence of substantial amounts of sodium is reduced. If all three elements together are present in liquid wastes, the sorbent selectivity remains high with respect to cesium and substentially decrease with respect to ctrontium and remains low wit respect to cobalt. The results are given of investigations on effects of presence of ions of different elements and some compounds on sorption properties of calcium clinoptilolite. (I.T.)