Publications Details
Performance of crystalline silicotitanates for cesium removal from Hanford tank waste simulants
A new class of inorganic ion exchangers, called crystalline silicotitanates (CSTs), has been prepared at Sandia National Laboratories and Texas A&M University. CSTs have been determined to have high selectivity for the adsorption of Cs and Sr, and several other radionuclides from highly alkaline, high-sodium supernate solutions such as those found at Westinghouse Hanford (WHC). Continuous flow, ion-exchange columns are expected to be used to remove Cs and other radionuclides from the Hanford tank supernate. The proposed application for the CST would be Cs removal from highly alkaline salt solutions in a single pass process with interim storage of the Cs loaded CST until the glass vitrification plant is operational. This paper presents test results which address material requirements relevant for Hanford radwaste processing. This paper also discusses the integrated experimental and modeling approach being developed to establish the performance of the CST materials for the range of solution compositions and processing conditions which are expected to occur. The status on the commercialization of the CST material is also discussed.