Sugar Derivatives: Chromatography

Inorganic ion exchangers have a wide number of applications within the nuclear industry and are preferred over conventional organic resins. Zeolites are ideal for the treatment of dilute wastes, provided that the pH is not too extreme, and their relatively low costs make their use highly economical. For more extreme wastes like those encountered in the Hanford storage tanks, new titanium-based materials have been developed that are able to withstand the high alkalinity and have sufRciently high selectivity to remove trace levels of strontium in the presence of molar quantities of other ions. Although these synthetic exchangers cost hundreds of US dollars per kilogram, their extreme selectivity and ability to be regenerated makes them viable options for the treatment of these extremely complex wastes.