Study and characterization of zeolites for the removal of artificial radionuclides in wastewater samples from the former Garigliano Nuclear Power Plant in Italy.

As one of the most important adsorbents, zeolite can be used as removal of artificial radionuclides from nuclear wastewater of the former nuclear power plant of Garigliano, Italy. The wastewater consists of liquid supernatant of residuals from the operation of the plant. Samples of the wastewater are characterized radiologically by performing $\gamma-spectrometry$ using HpGe detector: $Cs^{137}$ and $Co^{60}$ are main sources. Zeolites are microporous material with structures containing molecular channels and cages accessible by other molecules by ion exchange. Perusing the literature, the features of zeolites are investigated by examining the percentage removal of radionuclides found: the type A is expected to be the best solution for $Cs^{137}$ and $Co^{60}$. This work falls within the decommissioning of the facility, by proposing an alternative new solution for correctly managing the problem of radioactive wastewater. The future step is to set up in-batch and in-column pipes experiments where the contaminated liquid passes through, to remove the radionuclides. This step is performed, firstly, by using non-radioactive isotopes of the same nuclides found in wastewater, by studing the exchange isotherm curves.