Adsorption of thorium (IV)‎ and uranium (VI)‎ by Tulul al- Shabba Zeolitic tuff, Jordan

Abstract EN

Tulul al-Shabba zeolite from Jordan was employed to remove actinides metal ions namely Uranium (VI) and Thorium (IV).

The used Jordanian zeolitic tuff is dominated by phillipsite and chabazite.

The sorption behavior of the used zeolitic tuff towards Th4+ and UO22+ metal(s) ions in aqueous solutions was studied by batch experiment as a function of pH, contact time and temperature and column techniques at 25.0°C and Ph = 3.

High initial rate of metal ions uptake was observed after 24 hr of shaking, and the uptake have increased with increasing pH and have reached a maximum at pH = 3.

Tulul al-Shabba zeolitic tuff has shown high metal ion uptake capacity toward Thorium (IV) than Uranium (VI).

Adsorption data was evaluated according to the Pseudo second-order reaction kinetic. Adsorption isotherms were studied at temperature 25C°, 35C° and 45C°.

The Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Raduskevich (D-R) adsorption models equations were applied, and the proper constants were derived.

It was found that the adsorptivity process is enthalpy driven for Thorium (IV) and Uranium (VI). Recovery of Thorium (IV) and Uranium (VI) ions after adsorption was carried out by treatment of the loaded zeolitic tuff in the column with 0.1N HNO3, 0.1N H2SO4, 0.1 - 1*10 -4N EDTA, and 0.1N sodium acetate.

The best percent recovery for Thorium (IV) was obtained when 1*10-4N EDTA was used, while for Uranium (VI) when 0.1N H2SO4 was used.