New grades of inorganic sorbents based on natural materials and artificial materials (thermoxide sorbents) suitable for extraction of Cs-137 from liquid radioactive waste have been developed. The technology of selective extraction of Mo-99 from spent nuclear fuel for scientific and medical purposes using inorganic sorbents, previously developed by the Department of Radiochemistry of UGTU, has been optimized. Ag-sorbents based on thermoxide-5 carrier were developed and optimal conditions of I-131 extraction by these sorbents from aqueous solutions were determined. The technology of Mo-99 production was supplemented with a new stage of I-131 extraction from alkaline concentrate Mo-99 after desorption operation.
The technology of selective extraction of molybdenum-99 from nuclear fuel waste for scientific and medical purposes with the use of inorganic sorbents has been developed. Inorganic sorbents based on titanium and zirconium hydroxides with anion-exchange properties were synthesized, their radiation stability and sorption properties with respect to uranium and molybdenum in sulfuric acid solutions were studied. In order to obtain Mo-99 concentrate of required radionuclide purity the sorption behavior of uranium and iodine in the process of Mo-99 extraction from solution fuel was studied. Work on synthesis and study of properties of sorbents based on natural aluminosilicates suitable for decontamination of liquid radioactive waste was continued.
Technologies have been developed for producing inorganic sorbents suitable for treatment of radioactively contaminated wastewater and drinking water and for radiation monitoring of natural waters. Individual filters for drinking water treatment from radionuclides were developed and certified. Studies on the use of inorganic sorbents in the production of medical isotopes for disease diagnosis and radiotherapy of cancerous tumors have been initiated.