Experimental investigation of radiocesium sorption on ceramic clay using a batch method

Abstract

In this study, radiocesium sorption on ceramic clay was investigated as a function of particle size and initial 137Cs concentration using a batch method. Ceramic clay samples taken from the So¨g˘u¨t(I˙nisar) clay deposit were composed of kaolinite, dickite and quartz. The equilibrium time and the liquid–solid ratio were determined as 60 min and 250 mL g-1 , respectively. The distribution coefficients (Kd) for variable liquid–solid ratio and the percentage adsorption (PAd) were calculated. The values of Kd and PAd ranged from 483 to 3165 mL g-1 and 34–93%, respectively. The Kd and PAd values increased with increasing particle size, but decreased with increasing initial concentration. The sorption data were interpreted in terms of a Langmuir isotherm. The results indicated that the So¨g˘u¨t(I˙nhisar) ceramic clay has good sorption capacity for cesium