Radioactive Wastewater Treatment Technologies: A Review

Molecules. 2023 Feb 17;28(4):1935. doi: 10.3390/molecules28041935.

Abstract

With the wide application of nuclear energy, the problem of radioactive pollution has attracted worldwide attention, and the research on the treatment of radioactive wastewater is imminent. How to treat radioactive wastewater deeply and efficiently has become the most critical issue in the development of nuclear energy technology. The radioactive wastewater produced after using nuclear technology has the characteristics of many kinds, high concentration, and large quantity. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the treatment technology of radioactive wastewater in reprocessing plants. The process flow and waste liquid types of the post-treatment plant are reviewed. The commonly used evaporation concentration, adsorption, precipitation, ion exchange, biotechnology, membrane separation, and photocatalysis are summarized. The basic principles and technological characteristics of them are introduced. The advantages and disadvantages of different single and combined processes are compared, and the development trend of future processing technology is prospected.

Keywords: adsorption; combined processes; membrane separation; nuclear industry; nuclear waste.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biotechnology
  • Nuclear Energy*
  • Radioactivity*
  • Wastewater
  • Water Purification*

Substances

  • Wastewater