The effect of dispersed materials on baromembrane treatment of uranium-containing waters Original Research Article

The paper investigated a treatment process of uranium-containing waters in a membrane reactor while using natural mineral kizelgur and synthetic sorbent SKN-1K with subsequent ultra- and nanofiltration separation of the mixture. The retention coefficient of U(VI) by membrane UPM-20 under conditions of quasi-stationary equilibrium reached the levels of 0.87–0.89 and 0.89–0.91, respectively, while using natural mineral kizelgur and synthetic sorbent SKN-1K. In the case of membrane OPMN-P and natural mineral kizelgur the retention coefficient of U(VI) was 0.990–0.991 and 0.993–0.996, respectively, while using natural mineral kizelgur and synthetic sorbent SKN-1K. Data regarding the state of water in membranes formed from natural mineral or synthetic sorbent on the surface of substrate membranes UPM-20 and OPMN-P made it possible to conclude that dispersed materials of different chemical nature affect the process of baromembrane treatment of uraniumcontaining waters.