The mechanism of radioactive strontium removal from simulated radioactive wastewater via a coprecipitation microfiltration process

A membrane filtration device was prepared, and its stability under different seasonal conditions typical of northern China was studied. Strontium removal efficiency was investigated and membrane filtration mechanism was determined. At 12 °C strontium removal efficiency was the best and the highest decontamination factor was 942. Membrane filtration step significantly decreased the strontium concentration. Experimental data were well fit by an intermediate pore blocking model. Tiny particles in the pores and on the membrane surface acted as seed. At 29 °C a compressible cake layer formed on the membrane surface, alleviating membrane fouling but without an obvious strontium removal effect.