Uranium Adsorption from Aqueous Solution Using Sodium Bentonite Activated Clay

Abstract

Due to extensive variety of nuclear applications, the cost efficient adsorbent is extremely needed for radioactive liquid waste solutions treatment. Bentonite which is consists essentially of clay minerals of the smectite group; have a wide range of industrial uses. In this study, a simple approach to adsorb uranium (VI) from aqueous solution by exchangeable cation by sodium bentonite clay is presented. The effects of contact time, pH of the solution, initial uranium (VI) concentration, adsorbent dosage, and solution temperature on the adsorption of uranium (VI) ions from radioactive liquid solution were investigated. Adsorption isotherms were expressed by Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. The theoretical capacity of sodium bentonite clay adsorbent is about 12 mg/g. The optimum adsorption conditions were recommended. About 89% of the loaded Uranium (VI) on modified clay adsorbent was eluted by CH 3 COONa as an efficient eluent. The preferred adsorption and elution conditions were applied on real waste sample and the obtained capacity was determined.