Decontamination of zirconia - from baddeleyite by chemisorbing radioactive impurities on colloidal hydrated zirconia

摘要

Removal of radioactive impurities from ZrO2 obtd. by acid treatment or partial chlorination of crushed baddeleyite comprises a) treating an aq. suspension of the ZrO2 with a colloidal suspension of ZrO2 hydrate in amt. of 0.1-2 wt.% ZrO2 hydrate (w.r.t. ZrO2 to be purified) at pH 3; b) stirring the mixt. at elevated temp. pref. 60-100 degrees C for 2-10h; and then c) recovering the ZrO2 by allowing to settle and decanting, opt. several times, and drying. Radioactivity is reduced simply and effectively, with major ZrO2 losses.