Abstract
The adsorption of uranium on a banded fiber adsorbent containing amidoxime groups (Banded-AOF) with a constant diameter (d=5 or 10mmφ) and a constant length (l=5-200mm) was examined by arranging Banded-AOF with a sinker attached to its deep end (σ=W/S=0.001 or 0.01kg/mm2, where W is the weight of the sinker and S is the section area of Banded-AOF), in a stream of sea water with a velocity of 27cm/s. The adsorption rate of Banded-AOF increased with an increase in the ratio l/d, and reached a maximum value in the range of l/d>10; furthermore, it increased as the load σ decreased. This adsorptive toward uranium is explained by the shape of Banded-AOF in the stream of sea water: the middle region of Banded-AOF expanded more with an increase in l/d and a decrease in σ. The adsorption rate of Banded-AOF with l/d=20 and σ=0.001 kg/mm2 in the sea water stream of 27cm/s was almost equal to that in a column experiment, exhibiting an uptake of uranium of 0.45mg/g for 14 days. The above results were consistent with those of the adsorption of uranium on Banded-AOF in tow in a natural sea area.
