Synthesis, Characterization, and Ion Exchange Properties of a SodiumNonatitanate, Na4Ti9O20*xH2O

摘要

During the Cold War, the Hanford Weapons Site in Richland, Washington, producedweapons grade plutonium which first needed to be separated from the other products using the PUREX process (plutonium and uranium extraction). As a byproduct of this process, millions of cubic meters of highly acidic radioactive waste were produced which are now stored in million gallon tanks at the Hanford site. Over the years, some tanks have been known to leak and some are even in danger of exploding. Because of these problems, the waste needs to be removed from these tanks and given permanent, safe storage. The purpose of this research is to produce a more efficient ion exchanger to separate the highly radioactive isotopes (90Sr, 137Cs and transuranics) from the large quantities of inert salts. The smaller volume of high level waste produced can then be vitrified in glass and stored, while the low level waste can be poured into less expensive cement and glass.