Simulation of zeolite fixed bed columns used for treatment of liquid radioactive wastes

In treatment of liquid radioactive wastes by ion exchange technique, specif ic attention is drawn to the simulation of exchange system behavior. Mathem atical models are particularly useful in the design and optimization of ion exchange columns to predict the characteristics of the breakthrough curve under a given set of conditions. A systematic mathematical model for prediction of the concentration profile of in-going cation (strontium) to a zeolite fixed bed as a function of tim e or eluted volume, to obtain the shape of the exchange zone, has been deve loped. The model was verified by experiments of 0.2 N sodium nitrate soluti on with 5x10(-5) Sr2+ using three different types of natural zeolites. A Fo rtran-77 computer program was designed to run the model on IBM computer. Th e model was used Co examine how the concentration profiles are affected by the operating parameters. A rough calculation of Reynolds Number was carrie d out to check the flow regime operating on the used column.