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Formation and Transport of Americium Pseudocolloids in Aqueous Systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

U. Olofsson ,
M. Bengtsson  and
B. Allard
U. Olofsson
Affiliation:
Department of Nuclear Chemistry, Chalmers University of Technology, S-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
M. Bengtsson
Affiliation:
Department of Nuclear Chemistry, Chalmers University of Technology, S-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
B. Allard
Affiliation:
Department of Water in Environment and Society, University of Linköping, S-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
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Abstract

The sorption of americium on colloidal quartz and montmorillonite has been studied using a batch technique. Americium appeared to be distributed between all available surfaces in the system (particles and vessel walls). Distribution coefficients, defined as the ratio of the amount of americium per mass of colloidal matter and the concentration in the solution phase, were estimated to be of the same order of magnitude as obtained in measurements on crushed material of much larger particle sizes.

In the presence of sorbents (alumina or granite) the removal of americium from the solution was enhanced, either due to the desorption of the americium from the particle phase and resorption on all available surfaces (sorbent plus vessel wall) or the sorption of the whole colloidal aggregates on the sorbent.

No break-through of americium was observed in column experiments (with alumina or granite packing) after the injection of americium pseudocolloids (quartz or montmorillonite) followed by elution with large volumes of aqueous phase (up to 880 column volumes). However, a minor fraction of the americium passed through the column without significant retention, especially under conditions with high flow rate (short hold-up time in the column).

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 50: Symposium STOCKHOLM – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management IX , 1985 , 729
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1985

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References

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