The study of selectivity of 137Cs sorption by iron and nickel hexacyanoferrates

The possibility of treatment of liquid radioactive wastes containing 137Cs based on sorption on nickel and iron hexacyanoferrates was studied in this work. Centrifuging was recommended for separation of hexacyanoferrates from solution because of low particles size of these hexacyanoferrates. It was shown that iron and nickel hexacyanoferrates allow separation of 137Cs from aqueous solutions at the pH range of 0.5–11.5 and at concentrations of sodium and potassium up to 2.5 mol/L with distribution coefficients as high as 104–105 mL/g. Thus, the studied hexacyanoferrates can be recommended for separation of 137Cs from difficult liquid radioactive wastes with high salt content and in a wide pH range.