ABSTRACT
Physical separation processes rely on the physical properties of materials and have demonstrated a strong potential for treating radioactive solid wastes. The physical separation of mixed particulate solids entails selective partitioning and or concentration of certain solids from a mixture. The benefits of concentrating radionuclides in waste residues by physical separation methods are straightforward. One of the major benefits is that a physical separation process concentrates actinides, heavy metals, while generating minimal quantities of secondary wastes. Magnetic separation is a physical separation process that segregates materials on the basis of magnetic susceptibility. When a paramagnetic particle encounters a nonuniform magnetic field, the particle moves in the direction in which the field gradient increases. High-gradient magnetic separators are used extensively in the clay-processing industry. Highly desirable white clay can be produced for paper, coating, and rubber industries. Several forms of electrostatic separators exist that differ by the electrification mechanism. These include electrification by conductive induction, and electrification by ion bombardment.
