Alkali Hydrothermal Synthesis of Zeolites from Coal Fly Ash and Their Uptake Properties of Cesium Ion

Zeolites were synthesized from coal fly ash by hydrothermal treatment with KOH solutions. K-H zeolite (K₂Al₂Si₄O₁₂-nH₂O) was produced under optimum conditions of 160°C, 3 d, 1 M (=mol/dm³) KOH and liquid-solid ratio of 15cm³/g. The uptake behavior of radioactive cesium for the products was investigated by batch and column methods. The uptake equilibrium of Cs+ for the above product was attained within 2h yielding the distribution coefficient of above 10⁴ cm³/g. The uptake of Cs⁺ was followed by a Langmuir adsorption isotherm and the maximum uptake capacity was estimated to be 3.34 mmol/g. The successive removal of Cs⁺ was accomplished through the column packed with granular composites of product-alginate gel polymer.