Separation and treatment of ion-exchange resins used in cleaning systems of a research nuclear reactor

This study is based on experimental data from the elution of 60Co2+ ions with Na+ ions in mixed-bed columns packed with resins used in the cleaning system of a research nuclear reactor. The operational parameters for conditioning the resins were obtained by washing, separating cationic resins from anionic resins, and eluting radioactive ions from the cationic resins with a solution of 2 N NaCl. The ion-exchange behavior of 60Co2+–Na+ was analyzed by measuring the variation of the activity or concentration of radioactive cobalt in a column as a function of the amount of saline solution required to desorb the radioactive cobalt from the column. The linear model was applied to obtain the constants that describe the 60Co desorption process.

Mixed bed nuclear grade resins (LM) containing cationic and anionic type used in the cleaning system of a research nuclear reactor to remove radioactive nuclides as 60Co.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► An important fraction of 60Co is recovered from the washed resins.
► The lots of unwashed resin have approximately a specific activity of 2 Bq g−1.
► The storing time of the resins affect on the 60Co desorption process.
► The linear model describe the desorption behavior of 60Co.
► The treated material could be reused for the pretreatment of raw water.