Enhanced adsorptive removal of cesium iodide using thermally activated kaolin modified by CaO addition and acid leaching

This study systematically investigates the removal performance of cesium iodide (CsI) using modified kaolin-based adsorbents under various operating conditions. The adsorbents were prepared through a combined modification strategy involving thermal activation, CaO addition, and subsequent acid leaching. The effects of gas flow rate, adsorption temperature, and atmosphere on CsI capture were systematically evaluated. The physicochemical properties of the adsorbents were characterized using multiple techniques. The results demonstrate that the combined modification strategy significantly enhances both the CsI capture capacity and the chemical stability of the adsorbents. For instance, the adsorption capacity of Kaolin-CaO-C-H reaches approximately 160 mg/g under optimal conditions. These findings indicate that the modification process effectively tailors the pore structure and active sites of the adsorbent, thereby improving its efficiency in capturing volatile cesium during high-temperature volatilization processes.