Abstract
Adsorption of cesium (Cs+) and strontium ions (Sr2+) was studied using banana fiber as adsorbent in an adsorption column. Adsorption was performed by pumping 100 ppb diluted Cs+, and 1000 ppb diluted Sr2+ solutions into the column at a flow rate of 30 cm3/min. Almost 100% of Cs+ and Sr2+ were adsorbed. These results show that BF can be employed to serve as a cartridge filter for 90Sr, 134Cs and 137Cs. The breakthrough points of Cs+ and Sr2+ were about 100 cm3 and 3500 cm3 bed, respectively. Desorption of Cs+ and Sr2+ was carried out by 1.0 mol dm−3 nitric acid. A part of Sr2+ was desorbed; whereas, desorption of Cs+ was negligible. The results suggest that the adsorption reaction of monovalent Cs+ and divalent Sr2+ are different. The adsorption site of divalent Sr2+ can be considered as weak acid ion-exchange site and unknown adsorption site. The adsorption site of monovalent Cs+, however, can not be considered as weak acidity ion-exchange site.
