METHOD FOR SOLIDIFYING RADIOACTIVE CESIUM SOLUTIONS Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: radiochemical industry; recovery of spent nuclear fuel. SUBSTANCE: method involves saturation of silica gel with cesium, treatment and calcination of saturated silica gel. Prior to saturating silica gel with cesium following additives are introduced in source aqueous solution of cesium nitrate: nitric acid whose original concentration ensures its concentration from 5 mole/l to azeotropic- mixture concentration by end of evaporation, or strontium nitrate with mass proportion of Cs/Sr = 1/0.1-1/0.4, or cesium nitrate with mass proportion of Cs/Ce = 1/0.2-1/0.6. Mentioned additives provide for enhancing sorbing capability of cesium due to better solubility of nitrate. Saturation of silica gel with cesium increases by 1.2-1.7 times. EFFECT: enhanced specific activity of solidified form of cesium based on silica gel matrix. 4 cl, 3 dwg, 1 tbl, 3 ex