Removal of $Cs^+$ and $Sr^{2+}$ Ions by Natural Zeolites

천연 제올라이트를 이용한 $Cs^+$와 $Sr^{2+}$ 이온의 제거

The three natural zeolites collected in Yungil-gun, Kyungsangbuk-do, Korea, were analyzed by means of chemical wet methods and X-ray diffraction. The results indicated that the primary species of those zeolites were clinoptilolite mixed with heulandite, feldspar, montmorillonite, and quartz. These zeolites were chemically treated with NaOH, $\textrm{Ca(OH)}_2$, and HCl solution and their differences were also studied with X-ray diffraction method. The capabilities of removing $Cs^+$ and Sr^{2+}$ ions with chemically untreated zeolites, chemically treated zeolites, and also with synthetic zeolites were compared. The effect of other cations in removing Sr^{2+}$ ions was also studied. The experimental results showed that$Cs^+$ and Sr^{2+}$ ions could be removed up to 98% and 95% respectively out of 5 ppm with chemically untrearted natural zeolites. The treatment of 0.02N-$\textrm{Ca(OH)}_2$ and that of 2N-NaOH were most effective In removing $Cs^+$ and Sr^{2+}$ ions, respectively. It was found that the mountaintop of Sangjung 1-dong natural zeolite treated with 2N-NaOH was most efficient in removing Sr^{2+}$ ions mixed with other cations, compared with any other chemically treated and untreated natural zeolites in this work.