This study aimed to remove uranium (U(VI)) ions from sulfate-based acidic soil-washing effluent using the ion-exchange method. For effective ion exchange of U(VI) ions under acidic conditions, one chelate resin (Purolite S950) stable under low pH conditions and two anion-exchange resins (Ambersep 400 SO4 and 920U SO4) used in sulfuric acid leaching systems were selected. The exchange performance of the three selected ion-exchange resins for U(VI) ions was evaluated under various experimental conditions, including ion-exchange resin dosages, pH conditions, reaction times, and reaction temperatures. U(VI) ion exchange was consistent with the Langmuir model and followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. Thermodynamic experiments revealed that the U(VI) ion exchange by the ion-exchange resins is an endothermic and spontaneous process. On the other hand, U(VI) ions was effectively desorbed from the ion-exchange resins using 0.5 M H2SO4 or Na2CO3 solution. Overall, on the basis of the results of the present study, we propose that Purolite S950, Ambersep 400 SO4, and Ambersep 920U SO4 are ion-exchange resins that can be practically applied to effectively remove U(VI) ions from sulfate-based acidic soil-washing effluents.

It has been well known that concrete structures exposed to chloride and sulfate attack environments lead to significant deterioration in their durability due to chloride ion and sulfate ion attack. The purpose of this experimental research is to evaluate the resistance against chloride ion and sulfate attack of the cementless concrete replacing the cement with ground granulated blast furnace slag. For this purpose, the cementless concrete specimens were made for water-binder ratios of 40%, 45%, and 50%, respectively and then this specimens were cured in the water of 20±3℃ and immersed in fresh water, 10% sodium sulfate solution for 28 and 91 days, respectively. To evaluate the resistance to chloride ion and sulfate attack for the cementless concrete specimens, the diffusion coefficient for chloride ion and compressive strength ratio, mass change ratio, and length change ratio were measured according to the NT BUILD 492 and JSTM C 7401, respectively. It was observed from the test results that the resistance against chloride ion and sulfate attack of the cemetntless concrete were comparatively largely increased than those of OPC concrete with decreasing water-binder ratio.

The study of flocculation kinetics is of fundamental interest in the field of water treatment, because rational study of the factors affecting the coagulation process should be based on the rate of particle growth. The effect of sulfate on flocculation kinetics were examined using ferric nitrate as a coagulant to coagulate kaolin clay in water under several experimental conditions. Both the particle size distribution data obtained from the AIA and the on-line measurement of turbidity fluctuation by the PDA were used to measure flocculation kinetics. Results show that sulfate ion added to the kaolin suspension played an important role in the flocculation process, not only improving flocculation kinetics at more acidic pH levels but also changing surface charge of particles. The kinetics of flocculation were improved mainly by the enhanced rate and extent of Fe(Ⅲ) precipitation attributed to the addition of sulfate, and thereby, better interparticle collision frequency, but little by the charge reductions resulting from the sulfate addition. The increase in sulfate concentration beyond 3×10 exp (-4)M (up to 2×10 exp (-3)M) did not induce further improvement in flocculation kinetics, although the higher concentrations of sulfate ion substantially increased the negative ZP value of particles.