Removal of radionuclides in wastewaters utilizing potassium ferrate (VI)

Jar tests were performed to demonstrate the applicability of using potassium ferrate (VI) [K2Fe04] to treat wastewaters containing americium and plutonium. Jar test treatment of tap water spiked with americium and plutonium with potassium ferrate lowered the gross alpha activity from 3.0 × 106 pCi/L to 6 000 pCi/L. An optimum treatment pH of 11.5 to 12.0 was found. At a Department of Energy (DOE) Facility demonstration, potassium ferrate treatment lowered gross alpha activity from 37 000 pCi/L to 40 pCi/L utilizing a two‐step treatment process. The tests performed demonstrated that using potassium ferrate in the aqueous treatment plant at the DOE facility instead of the current treatment chemicals would ensure treatment requirements and discharge limits are met.