Journal of Membrane Science & Technology

Abstract

Studies on the Radiation Stability of Several Polymeric Flat Sheets used for Actinide Ion Separation from Radioactive Feeds

Mohapatra PK, Raut DR, Shah JG and Bhardwaj YK

Radiolytic stability of polymeric flat sheet membranes was evaluated from surface morphology (SEM), contact angle and porosity data. The flat sheets made from PES (polyether sulfone), PP (polypropylene), PC (polycarbonate) and PVDF (polyvinylidenefluoride) were irradiated to varying extent using a 60Co gamma ray source and the physical characterization of the membranes was carried out using various techniques mentioned above. Subsequently, the transport efficiency of the irradiated flat sheets was evaluated by studying the mass transfer of Am3+ from a feed containing 3 M HNO3 in to a receiver phase containing 0.01 M HNO3 as the strippant while 0.1 M TODGA (N,N,N’,N’- tetraoctyldiglycolamide) +0.5 M DHOA (di-n-hexyloctanamide) in n-dodecane was used as the carrier extractant. Out of the flat sheet membranes, PC membranes were found to be more promising and transport studies were carried out using PC membranes up to an absorbed dose of 50 MRad which suggested very good transport of Am3+ without any deterioration of the membrane.