Application of chitin-containing fiber material ''Mycoton'' for actinide absorption

The main advantages of the material are: high sorbability towards actinides in large pH range and salt concentration independently on the actinide valent state; fine fiber structure with large specific surface; ability to form paper like material; low content of mineral admixtures (less than 1%) ensuring high additional concentrating factor as a result of dry or wet'' burning. The results of the systematic investigations of absorption properties of Mycoton and its modifications to towards the actinides (U, Pu, Am, Cm) in static and dynamic conditions are presented in the paper. The effect of pH, salt concentration, complexing agent concentration, presence of other admixtures to the actinides distribution coefficients and their absorption kinetics have been investigated. Two possible applications are considered: for preliminary concentration of the actinides in environmental monitoring and for decontamination of the actinide containing liquid radioactive wastes (LRW) of low and intermediate activity level. On this base the optimal conditions were recommended for removal of the actinides from LRW. The results obtained allow to reach complete decontamination of LRW with separation of the actinides as a special fraction. (author)