Title
#PRA1177
Process for Removal of Heavy and Radioactive Metals from Wastewater
Short Title:
Removal of Heavy and Radioactive Metals from Wastewater
Technology Area:
Water Pollution and Control / ENV-WPC
Persons for Contact:
Prof. Zinfer R. Ismagilov
Tel.: +7 (3832) 35-02-59
Fax: +7 (3832) 39-73-52
E-mail: zri@catalysis.nsk.su
Research Institute:
Boreskov Institute of Catalysis (IKCO) or (BIC)
630090, Novosibirsk Russia
Present Status of Research
1. Brief Description of Research:
Production of energy at nuclear power plants, nuclear fuel manufacture and processing are accompanied by
formation of waste water, contaminated with radionuclides. The development of efficient methods of water
purification from radioactive metals is a major problem for environmental protection. The proposed
galvanocoagulation method is based on filtration of waste water through a layer consisting of cast iron scrap and
metallurgical coke breeze. The physico-chemical base of the method is a process of internal electrolysis of
galvanic couples Fe-C, Fe-Cu, etc., for generation of hydrated iron oxides in accordance with the reaction:
Fe + H2O + O2 ( Fe(OH)2 + Fe(OH)3 + FeOOH + ....
The process of removal of radionuclides and other non-ferrous and heavy metal ions proceeds via chemical and
physical interfacial adsorption on freshly formed iron hydroxides with high specific area.
Primary advantages:
 high removal degree of non-ferrous and heavy metals, some anions and organic compounds;
 possibility of operating in a pH range (2-14), including strongly salted aqueous systems;
 high clarifying effect for turbid aqueous media;
 use of cast iron scrap and shavings as working substance;
 no requirement for an outside source of electricity for carrying out the galvanic process;
 possible combination with other methods, e.g. with specific sorbents that can be added to the system;
 no formation of hydrogen;
 low consumption of Fe (approximately 0.5 kg per cubic meter of liquid);
 energy saving;
 compactness;
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 operation in a dynamic flow regime;
 operation at room temperature,
 low cost of wastewater purification.
Tests carried out at Siberian Chemical Complex in Seversk (former Tomsk-7) have shown high efficiency of the
process. After one-stage treatment of real wastewater with concentration of Pu = 7.8  106 Bq/L, Am = 1.38 
107 Bq/L and U = 100 mg/L , containing also of F-, Cl-, SO42-, PO43-, NO3- (up to 550 g/L) concentration of
radioactive elements decreased: Pu to 4.0 Bq/L, Am to 1000 Bq/L and U to 1.6 mg/L, with coefficient of
distribution of plutonium and americium between solid iron oxide adsorbent and liquid phase being over 10 5 –
106.
Radioactive elements are concentrated mostly in solid phase, which is very convenient for final waste disposal,
in accordance with traditional technology.
The galvanocoagulation process was also successfully tested for wastewater purification at dairy plants, galvanic
and painting industry locations.
2. Special Facilities in Use and Their Specification:
There are experimental and pilot facilities for testing efficiency of the process for particular waste streams.
Future Research Direction
1. Possibility of Application:
Promising application: purification of waste water from heavy and radioactive metals.
2. Budget Necessary for Research of This Application:
300,000-500,000 USD, depending on particular application.
3. Suggestion of Cooperation with Foreign Partners:
Adaptation of technology and apparatus design to particular waste water composition and capacity, joint
investigations and pilot tests, preparation of design documentation.
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