Aptamer-Bound Bead Columns for Reusable Radioactive Waste Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ion exchange resin methods for treating radioactive liquid waste in nuclear facilities are inefficient, leading to excessive production of secondary waste and high disposal costs, particularly failing to effectively remove cesium, strontium, and antimony from cooling water and laundry wastewater.
Innovation Solution
A method using an aptamer-bead column system where radioactive liquid waste passes through aptamer-bound beads, followed by aptamer denaturation to separate metal ions, enabling reuse of the column and reducing waste volume and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ion exchange resin method is used to remove radioactive ionic materials, then radioactive waste is removed from cooling water, but a great amount of secondary waste (ion exchange resin) is mass-produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of the adsorbent material. The aptamer-bead column can be regenerated by eluting bound radioactive ions with appropriate solutions, allowing the same adsorbent to be used multiple times, thus preventing mass production of secondary waste while maintaining removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces aptamer-functionalized beads as an intermediary adsorbent material that provides selective binding to radioactive ions through biological recognition mechanisms, replacing traditional ion exchange resins and enabling more efficient separation with less waste generation
2Reliability
If existing ion exchange resin method is used, then some radioactive materials are removed, but cesium, strontium, and antimony are not removed well from primary cooling water and laundry waste water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by functionalizing beads with specific aptamers that have selective affinity for particular radioactive isotopes (cesium, strontium, antimony). Different aptamers can be used on different beads or in sequence to target specific contaminants, providing tailored removal capability for each isotope type
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical and biological parameters of the adsorbent material by using aptamers with specific sequences and binding characteristics. This allows optimization of binding affinity and selectivity for different radioactive isotopes by selecting or engineering aptamers with appropriate parameters for each target contaminant
3Reliability
If separate adsorbent and high-priced equipment are used to remove cesium, strontium, and antimony, then removal effectiveness is improved, but radioactive waste is further mass-produced and disposal costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal adsorbent platform using aptamer-functionalized beads that can remove multiple types of radioactive isotopes (cesium, strontium, antimony, and others) through selective binding. This multi-functional system replaces the need for separate specialized adsorbents and equipment for each isotope, reducing overall waste generation and disposal costs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The aptamer-bead column system achieves high selectivity and efficiency in removing specific metal ions, allowing for column reuse and significant reduction in waste volume and disposal costs.
Implementation Method 1
passing radioactive liquid waste including radioactive metal ions through a column filled with aptamer-bound beads to combine the metal ions with the aptamer
Implementation Method 2
performing denaturation of the aptamer to separate the radioactive metal ions from the column; wherein the denaturation is performed by passing hot water at 50 to 100° C. through the column
Data Source
AI summary
A method for treating radioactive liquid waste using aptamer includes passing radioactive liquid waste including radioactive metal ions through a column filled with aptamer-bound beads to combine the metal ions with the aptamer, performing denaturation of the aptamer to separate the radioactive metal ions from the column, and reusing the column to treat radioactive liquid waste, such that specific metal elements in the radioactive liquid waste may be efficiently isolated while easily separating the radioactive metal ions bound to the column, thereby enabling the column to be reused.