ACTINIDE UPTAKE ONTO ZEOLITE-L AND SAPO-34

The characteristics of ion exchange of uranyl and americium, which are alpha-emitting radioactive nuclides, were examined by batch and colum n methods. SAPO-34 showed good selectivity for uranyl ion at pH 2-3.5, and distribution coefficients of Am3+ and UO22+ increased with equili brium pH. gamma-irradiation (2 MGy) did not show any significant effec t on the uptake of both of actinide ions onto L and SAPO-34. Higher do es of gamma-irradiation (up to 10 MGy) created a change of equilibrium pH, and hence uptake, due to radiolysis of water and heat localizatio n generated by gamma-radiation and annealing processes.