Removal of cesium from aqueous solutions and radioactive waste simulants by coprecipitate flotation

Coprecipitate flotation (CPF) investigations show that cesium can be efficiently separated from aqueous solutions by coprecipitation with zinc hexacyanoferrate(II) (ZnHCF) and subsequent flotation of the precipitate. Collectors of different types were tested but cetyl pyridinium chloride showed the best performance. Before undertaking the flotation investigations, coprecipitation of Cs with ZnHCF was studied to determine the optimal coprecipitation conditions. The developed CPF process was applied successfully for 137Cs removal from process wastewater and low-level liquid radioactive waste simulants. The obtained results compare favourably with data published for cesium removal by coprecipitation or adsorption processes. Besides, CPF seems to be more advantageous.