Removal of cesium from low level waste solutions by copper hexacyanoferrate loaded resins

Sorbents for the separation of radio cesium from aqueous solutions were synthesized by incorporating copper hexacyanoferrate (II) in the matrix of anion exchange resins of Indian origin, viz. Indion-810 and Tulsion-A27MP. Their efficiency for the cesium removal was tested under both static and dynamic conditions. The resins were found to be highly selective for radio cesium from a variety of salt and acid solutions. In general, Tulsion-based resins showed more tolerance towards chemical load in the solutions than the other. Pilot column run with Indion-based loaded resin showed that it effectively removed all the cesium activity from few thousands of litres of mixed low level waste streams from reactors, fuel reprocessing plant and nuclear laboratories. (author). 24 refs., 2 figs., 3 tabs