Radium-226 Removal from Simulated Produced Water Using Natural Zeolite and Ion-Exchange Resin

Large volumes of produced water with high dissolved solids content are generated by the oil and gas industry. The presence of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), such as radium, in this flowback water adds to the costs associated with its handling, treatment, and disposal. In this research, clinoptilolite was tested for radium removal and its performance has been compared to that of an ion-exchange resin. Natural zeolite showed excellent stability in high chloride environments; its capacity and selectivity for radium outperformed the ion-exchange resin.