Sorption Behaviour of 137Cs on Kaolinite

Abstract

The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic investigation of the adsoption of Cs-137 on to Kaolinite clay mineral from Balikesir region which is west of Turkey. The adsorption behavior of kaolinite mineral was studied by means of a batch method using Cs-137 as a radio tracer. Experiments were carried out for clay size of 30.00 mu m and six different initial concentrations of Cs-137. In experiments, solid/liquid ratio and contact time were determined to be 250 mL/g and 60 minutes, respectively. Adsorption percent (Ads%) and distribution coefficient (K-d) values were calculated according to the adsorption experiment results. After Langmuir Isotherm was applied, the clay adsorption capacity was calculated using Least Squares Method. It was observed that Ads% and Kd values decreased with increasing the liquid phase concentrations ranging from 1.68x10(-4) M to 5.88x10(-4) M. The constants depending on adsorption energy (b), adsorption capacity (X-m), and removal efficiency (R) were determined to be 17.56x10(3) mg/kg, 0.038 L/g and 93%, respectively. Kaolinite was found to be having both a good adsorption capacity and a rapid adsorption rate for Cs-137.