Hybrid micro-particles as a magnetically-guidable decontaminant for cesium-eluted ash slurry

Abstract

Decontamination of the radioactive cesium that is widely dispersed owing to a nuclear power station accident and concentrated in fly ash requires an effective elimination system. Radioactive fly ash contains large amounts of water-soluble cesium that can cause severe secondary contamination and represents a serious health risk, yet its complete removal is complicated and difficult. Here it is shown that a new fine-powder formulation can be magnetically guided to eliminate cesium after being mixed with the ash slurry. This formulation, termed MagCE, consists of a ferromagnetic porous structure and alkaline- and salt-resistant nickel ferrocyanide. It has potent cesium-adsorption- and magnetic-separation-properties. Because of its resistance against physical and chemical attack such as with ash particles, as well as with the high pH and salt concentration of the ash slurry, MagCE simplifies the decontamination process without the need of the continued presence of the hazardous water-soluble cesium in the treated ash.

Characterising Radioactive Caesium Leaching from Incineration Ash of Municipal Solid Waste in Fukushima and the Inhibitory Effect of Acid Clay

“…Figure 6a-e summarize the r-Cs leaching rates of the samples as a function of the number of days of leaching. Previous researchers have exploited the high r-Cs leaching rate from FA to develop a method for r-Cs removal by washing [27]. However, this method requires the construction of washing facilities.…”

Innovative next-generation PLGA microparticles with multifunctional architecture

“…There are reports on a micron-sized particle displaying a porous sponge-like ball structure that resembles the decorative Japanese paper spheres known as "Kusudama" [20,21]. For example, following a new solid-in-oil-in-water (s/o/w) emulsion technique, Takai et al prepared the Kusudama-type porous PLGA microspheres in which hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were dispersed [21].…”

Use of Clay Minerals to Control Radioactive Cesium Leaching from Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Ash in Fukushima Prefecture in Summer and Winter

“…Previous studies have investigated the high leaching rate of r-Cs from FA and TFA and developed a method to remove r-Cs by washing FA and TFA [11]. However, this method requires the construction of washing facilities and would likely require measures to ensure safe management of contaminated water generated by the washing process.…”