The Ag0-containing sorbents synthesized by Na, Al, and Si alkoxides have higher maximum iodine capture capacity and textural properties than zeolite-based Ag0-containing sorbents. However, these sorbents were prepared in the form of granules via a step for cutting cylindrical alcogels. Since asmade sorbents decreased packing density, they must be additionally crushed and then classified into an appropriate size for increasing packing density. The bead formation in the step of sol-gelation could bring about the simplification of sorbent preparation process and an improvement of packing density. In the Na, Al, and Si alkoxides as starting materials, sol solution was hydrophilic and lower density than vegetable oil, which transformed sol droplets to sol-gel beads. Thus, in these precursors, sol droplets, which must be sprayed by single nozzle placed at bottom side of oil column, can rise up through oil column. Acetic acid (HOAc) was used as the catalyst for the hydrolysis of Na alkoxide (TEOS) and gelation of the Na+AlSi-OH alcosol. For obtaining sol-gel beads, experiments were performed by the flowrate change of sol solution and HOAc at different nozzle sizes using soybean oil column of 1 m in length. At a sol/HOAc flowrate ratio of 3.85, some Na+AlSi-OH alcogel beads were obtained. After the Ag/Na ion-exchange, Ag content in Ag+AlSi-OH hydrogel was low due to reaction between Na+ and HOAc during sol-gelation and aging step. The Ag+AlSi-OH hydrogel with high Ag content could be prepared by Na addition. After the solvent exchange and drying at ambient pressure, the bead sorbents had higher Ag0 content and larger pore size than granular sorbents. However, further experiments are needed to increase yield rate in bead sorbent.

• Jae-Won Lee(Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI)) Corresponding author
• Seok Min Hong(Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI))
• Chang-Hwa Lee(Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI))
• Yung-Zun Cho(Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI))