Inorganic ion-exchangers for the removal of zirconium, hafnium and niobium radioisotopes from aqueous solutions

Abstract

Studies were made on the uptake of zirconium, hafnium and niobium isotopes onto zeolites and amorphous zirconium phosphate. Ion exchange capacities and distribution coefficients were determined and the influence of pH examined. Kinetic experiments were made to determine the rates of uptake of the radioisotopes on the exchangers and to measure the leaching of isotopes from preloaded exchangers by synthetic sea water, simulated pond water and distilled water.