Ion Exchange Separation for Decontamination of Centrifuge Enrichment Plant

Abstract

Ion exchange separation of uranyl ion (UO2+ 2) from metal cations has been carried out by the columnar operation using ion exchange resins in 0.1 mol/dm3 sulfuric acid medium. Uranyl ion was adsorbed in an anion exchange resin and the rest metal cations, Fe(III), Al(III), Cr(III), Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, were adsorbed in a cation exchange resin in this system. Desorption of uranyl ion and metal cations adsorbed in the resins were tested by 2 mol/dm3 sulfuric acid solution. Desorbed elements were confirmed to be precipitated by appropriate alkaline solutions. On the basis of the results obtained, a concept was made on a decontamination system for uranium-contaminated waste solution from centrifuge enrichment plant.