Dissolution of [226Ra]BaSO4 and partial separation of 226Ra from radium/barium sulfate: A new treatment method for NORM waste from petroleum industry

• Complete dissolution of [226Ra]BaSO4 was performed using NaNO2 in acidic solution.
• The dissolution of [226Ra]BaSO4 was achieved at room temperature.
• Ra–Ba separation using precipitation and ion exchange methods was investigated.
• The dissolution method was successfully used for radium separation from NORM waste.

Complete dissolution of [226Ra]BaSO4 precipitate was successfully performed using NaNO2 as a reducing agent in acidic solution at room temperature. Results showed a significant effect of acid and NaNO2 concentrations and temperature on the dissolution efficiency. The method was successfully used for separation of radium from NORM scale samples from the petroleum industry; sufficient volume reduction of NORM waste was achieved. The obtained 226Ra solution was purified using two separation methods. The dissolution method can be of great interest in the development of radiochemical analysis of radium isotopes.