Methods for sorption purification of underground water to remove uranium

Abstract

Possibility was examined of using sorption purification of underground water containing 246 μg dm–3 of uranium to remove this component with zeolite and shungite of natural origin, technogenic phosphogypsum, and products of their modification under static and dynamic sorption conditions. Copper(II), nickel, and zinc hydroxides served as modifying agents. It was shown that the modified sorbents enable a substantially higher extraction of uranium into the sorbent under static and dynamic sorption conditions. The water purification reached the level satisfying the requirements of hygienic regulation GN 2.1.5.1315–03 (maximum permissible concentration of chemical substances in water of household and cultural water bodies), imposed on technical-grade water used for industrial purposes.