Removal of radioactive contaminants by polymeric microspheres

ABSTRACT

Radionuclide removal from radioactive liquid waste by adsorption on polymeric microspheres is the latest application of polymers in waste management. Polymeric microspheres have significant immobilization capacity for ionic substances. A laboratory study was carried out by using poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) for encapsulation of radionuclide in the liquid radioactive waste. There are numbers of advantages to use an encapsulation technology in radioactive waste management. Results show that polymerization step of radionuclide increases integrity of solidified waste form. Test results showed that adding the appropriate polymer into the liquid waste at an appropriate pH and temperature level, radionuclide was encapsulated into polymer. This technology may provide barriers between hazardous radioactive ions and the environment. By this method, solidification techniques became easier and safer in nuclear waste management. By using polymer microspheres as dust form, contamination risks were decreased in the nuclear industry and radioactive waste operations.

KEYWORDS:

• Cs-137
• liquid waste
• polymer
• radioactive
• removal

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

ORCID

Ahmet Erdal Osmanlioglu http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5547-7525

Additional information

Funding

The author gratefully acknowledges the support of the Istanbul University Scientific Research Projects Unit (BAP-59587) and would like to thank Istanbul University BAP for their support.