Removal of heavy metals and heavy metal radioactive isotopes from liquids

Abstract

A method of treating a heavy metal and/or a radioactive metal-containing natural water or liquid such as a radioactive metal-containing wastewater stream, a potable water supply containing naturally-occurring radioactive elements, an oil containing one or more radioactive metals, or other nuclear metal-bearing liquid by contacting the radioactive heavy metal-containing liquid with a water-insoluble carboxylated cellulose-transition metal oxide mixture to separate the heavy metals from the liquid. The heavy metal and radioactive heavy metals precipitate from the liquid onto the cellulose material to form a radioactive metal-laden solid material. The radioactive metal-laden solid then is air-dried, calcined and/or admixed with a leach-resistant matrix, such as grout or asphalt, for suitable disposal. The process has been found to be unexpectedly effective on heavy metal contaminated waters and particularly on radioactive natural waters, radioactive wastewaters or any other liquid containing one or more radioactive heavy metal ions such as U, Ce, Sr, Ru, Ra, Np and Tc.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.