URANIUM RECOVERY FROM UCF LIQUID WASTE BYNANOPOROUSMCM-41: BREAKTHROUGH CAPACITY AND ELUTION BEELAVOR STUDES

The adsorption and recovery of uranium by nanoporous MCM-41 from aqueous solution (synthetic solution and UCF liquid waste) were investigated in a fix bed column (1.2cm diameter and 3cm. height). Adsorption was carried out at flow rate 0.2 and 0.5 mL.min with corresponds to a retention time of 10 min and 6 min. Distribution coefficient (K) has been determined in aqueous solution as well as various electrolyte media/concentration for uranium adsorption by nanoporous MCM-41. The breakthrough capacity of uranium ions was achieved by nanoporous MCM-41 at optimum pH of 3.6 and flow rate 0.2 mL.min (108.3 ugg). The elution behavior of uranium towards nanoporous MCM-41 by various eluents have been carried out and the result show that 0.1 M HCl is good eluent for uranium recovery.

Keywords:

Uranium Recovery , Nanoporous MCM-41 , Breakthrough and elution studies