The purpose of this investigation was: (1) search the literature and review various methods investigated for the safe storage of radioactive waste products, (2) study the possible methods for the recovery, of useful radioactive isotopes by selective adsorption, (3) perform laboratory tests to determine the capacity of various adsorbents for radioactive isotopes, (4) evaluate the data and correlate it with the findings reported in the literature, (5) make recommendations of the feasibility of using these adsorbents for removal or storage of the radioactive products, and (6) make recommendations for further investigations. The adsorption of radioactive zirconium, niobium, cesium and barium on alumina, silica gel, and clay was investigated. The adsorbents were contacted with aqueous solutions of the pure isotopes for two hours. Tests at pH values from one through seven were made for each adsorbent. The activities before and after adsorption were determined and from these data the activities removed were calculated. The data from the tests were tabulated so that a comparison of the activity removed by each adsorbent could be made. The data from the tests also enabled comparisons of the effect or pH on each adsorbent to be made.
The batch method using agitation was employed rather than a fixed bed in a column, because it was believed that this method would give more thorough mixing and result in a better determination of adsorption capacity --Introduction, page 4
