Ion Exchange in the Atomic Energy Industry With Particular Reference to Actinide and Fission Product Separation - A Review

This paper reviews some of the uses of ion exchange processes by the nuclear industry for the period April 1978 to April 1983. The topics dealt with are: thorium, protactinium, uranium, neptunium, plutonium, americium, cesium and actinide-lanthanide separations; the higher actinides - Cm, Bk, Cf, Es and Fm; fission products; ion exchange in the geological disposal of radioactive waste. Consideration is given to safety in the use of ion exchangers and in safe methods of disposal of such materials. Full scale and pilot plant process descriptions are included as well as summaries of laboratory studies.