The elution of radium adsorbed by microbial bioman

The present work examines the equilibrium and kinetics of the elution of radium-226 adsorbed by inactive (dead) microbial biomass. Two biomass types, P. chrysogenum and activated sludge, were examined. Values were determined for engineering design parameters such as eluant type, eluant concentration and solid to liquid ratio. Five eluants (EDTA, NTAA, TAC, HCl, HNO3) were selected and studied. The mineral acids and EDTA were shown to be the most efficient radium eluants. The radium readsorption potential of the biomass following elution was also examined and shown to be severely limited, especially when mineral acids were used as eluants. The rate of radium desorption from the biomass, using mineral acids, is shown to be very rapid, with complete elution accomplished within one or two minutes..