Fabrizio Ambrosino

Title : Study and characterization of zeolites for the removal of artificial radionuclides in wastewater samples from nuclear power plants

Abstract:

Being the most important inorganic adsorbents and cation exchangers, zeolites have also been proposed and successfully used for the decontamination of artificial radionuclides-containing wastewaters. In this work, water solutions from the processes of cooling and storing the irradiated fuel elements of the former nuclear power plant of Garigliano (Italy) are considered. Samples of the wastewater are characterized radiologically by performing γ-spectrometry using HpGe detector: 137Cs and 60Co are main sources. Perusing within literature in terms of selectivity and efficiency of zeolites in the removal of radionuclides, LTA-type zeolites, beside FAU-type zeolite and some natural zeolitic terms, are expected to be the best solution for the decontamination of water containing 137Cs and 60Co. This work falls within the decommissioning of the above cited facility and aims to provide an alternative solution for correctly managing the problem of radioactive wastewaters. In-batch experiments - by using simulated solution containing Cs e Co not radioactive isotopes and two synthetic zeolites (4A and 13X) together with one natural term (philipsite-rich tuff) - have been performed to obtain the kinetic characterization of the exchange process. By inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP) the Cs and Co concentrations have been monitored over time. The results demonstrate the high efficancy of zeolite 13X having almost 100% of adsorption of both elements, in a relatively short time in the order of 10-20 minutes. The results obtained will be used for the design and setup of an in-situ pre-pilot plant to carry out tests with contaminated water stored at the former Garigliano nuclear power plant. Once the method of radionuclides removal from wastewater by zeolites has been standardized, it can be extended to all the similar nuclear industrial realities. Zeolite 13X presents a promising alternative for decommissioning radioactive wastewater, reducing volumes from thousands of cubic meters to approximately one cubic meter of radionuclide-bearing zeolite waste.

Audience Takeaway: 

• Learn a new technique for nuclear decommissioning of wastewater.
• This work will help the audience in their job since they will learn a new technique to use for removal of radionuclides in liquid samples from industries.
• This research could be used and replicated by other researchers, also implemented in a course for teaching new techniques for decommissioning of nuclear power plants.
• Yes, zeolite presents a promising alternative for decommissioning radioactive wastewater, reducing volumes from thousands of cubic meters to approximately one cubic meter of radionuclide-bearing zeolite waste. 
• Zeolite provides new information to assist in a design problem of nuclear decommissioning.
• Share new discoveries on the topic of nuclear decommissioning of wastewater and exchange opinions and establish new collaborations to expand this research work with other researchers worldwide.

Biography:

Dr. Fabrizio Ambrosino is a researcher at Department of Physics of University of Naples Federico II in Italy. He is also member of National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), Naples branch. He works on the field of Applied Physics and his research is focused on the monitoring of environmental radioactivity. In particular, the monitoring of radioactivity in wastes from nuclear power plants and the decommissioning of the facilities. He also works on the field of radon gas monitoring in indoor and outdoor environments, its detection and time series analysis by new methodologies based on neural networks. He is regular contributor, also invited, to conferences and workshops, focused on the above research fields, around the World. He is Editor and Member of the Reviewer Board of scientific prestigious Journals, indexed in Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar, in the field of mathematical sciences applied to environmental radioactivity. He is supervisor of Bachelor and Master degree thesis in Mathematics and Physics. He is author of 43 papers with 653 citations and h-index of 18 (scopus profile: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57202070092).Dr. Fabrizio Ambrosino is a researcher at Department of Physics of University of Naples Federico II in Italy. He is also member of National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), Naples branch. He works on the field of Applied Physics and his research is focused on the monitoring of environmental radioactivity. In particular, the monitoring of radioactivity in wastes from nuclear power plants and the decommissioning of the facilities. He also works on the field of radon gas monitoring in indoor and outdoor environments, its detection and time series analysis by new methodologies based on neural networks. He is regular contributor, also invited, to conferences and workshops, focused on the above research fields, around the World. He is Editor and Member of the Reviewer Board of scientific prestigious Journals, indexed in Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar, in the field of mathematical sciences applied to environmental radioactivity. He is supervisor of Bachelor and Master degree thesis in Mathematics and Physics. He is author of 43 papers with 653 citations and h-index of 18 (scopus profile: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57202070092).