Removal of 99Tc from low level radioactive liquid waste using commercial anion exchanger resin

ABSTRACT Technetium exists as pertechnate (TcO4 –) ion under oxidizing condition. It is found in almost all streams originating from reprocessing plant. The presence of 99Tc results substantial operating problems in waste management practices due to the long half life (2.1 × 105 year with beta energy 0.297 MeV). Intermediate level radioactive liquid waste (ILW) generated at different steps of PUREX process is made alkaline using carbonates in order to facilitate its storage in carbon steel tank and to avoid precipitation in tank. Major radionuclides present in the waste are 137Cs, 90Sr, 106Ru and 99Tc. The waste also contains 125Sb and alpha emitting radionuclides in trace concentration. The waste is being treated by ion exchange process using resorcinol formaldehyde (RF) resin for removal of 137Cs and 90Sr. During pH adjustment of the waste stream, alpha adionuclides as well as 90Sr gets precipitated as corresponding hydroxide along with uranium and iron present in the waste. The conditioned waste was tr...