Kinetics of low radioactive wastewater imbibition and radionuclides sorption in partially saturated ternary-binder mortar

This study seeks to assess the imbibition kinetics of low radioactive wastewater (from the DayaBay nuclear power plant) into a partially saturated ternary-binder mortar, as well as the sorption kinetics of Co-60 and Cs-137 from the water. Mortar samples with the initial saturation degrees of 0, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 were prepared for the wastewater treatment. Pore structure of the mortar was characterized using water vapor sorption isotherm and mercury intrusion porosimetry tests interpreted by the Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer isothermal equilibrium, and volume- and energy-based fractal models. Results show that the mortar has consistent fractal pore structure between the models, and the liquid imbibitions follow the fractal imbibition kinetics, in which the parameters are non-linearly impacted by the initial saturation degrees. The sorption rate and retention capacity of Cs-137 are much lower than those of Co-60, and both follow the Brouers-Sotolongo fractional kinetics. The findings uncover the complex liquid imbibition and radionuclides sorption kinetics in cement-based porous materials, and the in-situ data would contribute to the material designs and sorption controls for large scale in-situ treatments of wastewater from nuclear power plant.

Automated summary

This study assesses the imbibition kinetics of low radioactive wastewater into a ternary-binder mortar, as well as the sorption kinetics of Co-60 and Cs-137. The mortar exhibits consistent fractal pore structure, and both liquid imbibitions and radionuclide sorption kinetics are influenced by the initial saturation degrees. Cs-137 shows lower sorption rate and retention capacity compared to Co-60, following the Brouers-Sotolongo fractional kinetics.