The development of selective adsorbents for radioactive Sr ions is one of the most important subjects for the safety decontamination in Fukushima NPP-1[1]. In this study, the selective adsorption properties of Sr, characterization and stable solidification were clarified by using the novel adsorbent of potassium titanates (KT-1).
The adsorption properties of Sr2+ ions for original and calcined specimens were examined by batch method under the following conditions; V/m = 100 cm3/g, Mixed solution: 10,000 ppm Na+, 10 ppm Cs+, 10 ppm Ca2+, 1 ppm Mg2+ and 1 ppm Sr2+, 85Sr tracer: 5,000 cpm/cm3, centrifugation: 2,500 rpm, 25°C, shaking time: 1∼24 h, calcination temp.: 300∼900°C. Relatively large uptake percentage above 90% was obtained for the original and calcined specimens below 800°C, while the Sr uptake for calcined specimens above 900°C was lowered due to the thermal decomposition of K2Ti2O5·xH2O.
The Sr distribution in the column was examined by flowing the mixed solution through the columns packed with KT-1. The Sr distribution profiles were obtained by the measurement of γ-activity in the column at 5 mm intervals. In either case, no breakthrough of Sr was observed. The distribution profile tended to smooth with increasing flow rate; Sr adsorption band and flow rate have a linear relationship.
The leachability of Sr for the solid forms was further examined under the following leaching conditions; leachant: pure water and 1 M HCl; leachant temp.: 25°C and 90°C, leaching period: 4 weeks; calcining temp.: 500∼1,100°C. The leached percentage of Sr in pure water was less than the detection limit of ICP-AES, and that in 0.1 M HCl tended to markedly decrease with calcining temperature; the formation of SrTiO3 phase above 800°C was effective for the lowering of leachability.
The novel adsorbent of KT-1 is thus effective for the selective decontamination and stable solidification of Sr in Fukushima NPP-1.
