[3M01-04] Environmental Restoration

[3M03] The preliminary methodology of Cs separation and collection from 2:1 clay minerals using Argon plasmaⅡ

*YUTAKA NISHIMURA¹, Glenn Harvel², Fumihito Mishima¹, Naoki Nomura¹, Shigehiro Nishijima¹, Takeyoshi Sunagawa¹ (1. FUT., 2. Ontario Tech. Univ.)

Keywords:Microwave, Argon Plasma, Cesium, Decontamination, Volume Reduction

Currently, volume reduction technology for highly contaminated soil containing ¹³⁷Cs is required. It is known that ¹³⁷Cs is strongly adsorbed by type 2:1 clay minerals. Existing seperation technologies such as heat treatment and chemical treatment are known to be environmentally problematic. This study, examines the novel method of separation and collection of cesium from 2:1 clay minerals via plasma techniques. Specifically, using the Ar type plasmas generated by the S-band hyperbaric microwave discharge method.