Adsorption of cesium-containing wastewater by typical materials

Effect of exposure time, initial concentration, pH and temperature on adsorption of wastewater-contained cesium (Cs) by activated carbon, kaolin, montmorillonite, bentonite, zeolite and attapulgite was investigated. Kinetics and isotherms revealed that for a set adsorption time, adsorption efficiency was zeolite , attapulgite , bentonite , montmorillonite ,activated carbon , kaolin. Zeolite adsorption of Cs was almost independent of initial concentration or temperature. Cs removal by other materials all improved at alkaline pH at 30℃. Attapulgite, montmorillonite, activated carbon, and kaolin could be used for Cs removal at low initial concentrations. Cs adsorption by these six types of materials was the result of combined adsorption. Out of the six adsorption materials, zeolite, attapulgite, and bentonite showed clear removal and could be used for practical applications for the disposal of radioactive Cs in wastewater, with zeolite being the best for such purpose.