Scientists Develop Soil Purification Technology Using Magnetic Force to Remove Cesium

HANARO research reactor in Daejeon. (image: Yonhap)

DAEJEON, May 24 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute said Monday it had developed a new method for purifying radioactively contaminated soil by using magnetic force separation technology.

This method uses magnets to separate radioactive cesium from the soil.

Cesium is most commonly detected in radioactively contaminated soil. Cesium is strongly combined with tiny soil particles (clay) with a diameter of less than 0.002mm, giving the surface of the clay a negative charge.

The research team succeeded in separating the cesium-contaminated clay by developing a positive charge nanoparticle.

This technology features excellent economic value since it can separate contaminated soil simply by using magnetic force without using any other energy sources.

The nanoparticle with magnetic force is also useful for purification of the remaining soil after separating the cesium-combined clay. Through a combination with existing metals and ferrocyanide, it can wash the contaminated soil.

The research team noted that more than 95 percent of the cesium contained in the soil can be removed if it goes through the two processes.

M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)