Cesium ions recovery

The heteropolyacids are very soluble in water. They can form sparingly soluble or insoluble salts with ions such as ammonium, cerium, cesium, potassium, silver, and such. The acids are often soluble in organic solvents, such as alcohols, ketones, carboxylic acids, and carboxylic esters. Long-chain tetraalkylammonium salts can also be soluble in organic solvents. In a sense, heteropolyacids are soluble versions of insoluble metal oxide catalysts. They can be used as catalysts both in solution and as solids. A catalyst that is soluble in water would be a solid if used alone or in a hydrocarbon medium. They can also be placed on insoluble supports. In the insoluble forms at least, they offer the advantages of easy separation and recovery for reuse. 

The recovery and purification of cesium-137 from Purex acid waste using a synthetic zeolite has been studied. Zeolite capacity and selectivity for cesium were determined. Stability of the synthetic zeolite to high radiation fields and chemical attack was adequately demonstrated. Kilocurie quantities of cesium-137 of 98+% chemical purity were prepared using zeolite ion exchange. 

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