Large Scale Fixed Bed Ion-Exchange System for Removing Iodine-131 and Strontium-90 from Milk

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Abstract
A large scale fixed bed ion-exchange system for removing 90Sr and 131l from fluid milk is described. In 1 abbreviated trial and 3 full-scale trials, 149,000 1 of milk were processed at flow rates averaging up to 8600 1/hr. Radionuclide removal efficiency averaged 98.9% for 131i, 94.6% for 85sr, and 90.0% for 90Sr. Although not an object of the study, it was found in 1 run that 66% of the environmental 137Cs was also removed by the cation column. Some decrease in flavor score was noted, particularly in the 1st milk through the anion resin column. Bacterial studies indicated that a slight increase in psychrophil counts occurred during processing. Chemical and physical compositional changes in milk passed through the 90sr and I31I combined ion-exchange system were approximately the same as for milk passed through the 90Sr system alone.