Novel Biotechnology for Removal of Soluble Radionuclides and Possible Potential Reduction of Terrorist Impact
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Sch of Biosciences
Abstract
Perceived problems of nuclear waste treatment limit the acceptability of nuclear power even though this is the only current alternative to fossil fuels. Green energies still require 10-20 years of development and even then will not completely suffice. Current nuclear waste treatment is OK but the best methods are expensive and/or not very selective. A worrying problem is the black market of stolen 'nuclear' materials for terrorist activities, with pollution of water supplies as one threat This will become less likely if fast, portable clean-up technology is known to be available. The same technology could be used to improve nuclear waste treatment. Currently ion exchange methods suffice but the best are too expensive. Finely-divided material is best but is difficult to fabricate into flow-through columns. We need now materials, better than the commercial ones, combining finely divided yet column-compatible formats, and cheaper. .A new type of ion exchanger was developed which utilises a microbial enzyme to synthesise hydrogen uranyl phosphate (H UP). This is excellent for removal of the radionuclides 137Cs, 9OSr and 60Co. Tests against nuclear wastes in S. Korea showed high effectiveness, radiostabilly & economy compared to commercial products. The trick is that the bacteria template the HUP as a supported high-surface finely divided layer (nanolayer) onto their surfaces and control crystal growth to make, effectively, an ion-exchange bionanolayer (overcoat). Before doing all this, the bacteria first stick themselves (via sticky 'arms' :adhesions) onto a spongy support, don their overcoats and then die but leave behind the (radiostable) active enzyme for more HUP overcoat synthesis. The problem is that uranium is radioactive. This does not matter for wastes which are already radioactive, but would not be popular for public use. Fortunately, the related phosphates of the non-toxic Zr and Ti are also ion exchangers. These are laid down as poorly-crystalline solids (actually this is a better way to obtain metal selectivity) but these have never been considered as BIONANOLAYERS for ion exchange before. The 1st OBJECTIVE is to develop a nano-layered bioinorganic ion exchanger based on bio-Zr,Ti phosphates (overcoats) & determine the selectivity of the coated sponges for the radioisotopes. For use the filtration sponge is packed into a flow-through column but the columns can get partially blocked, losing effectiveness. The 2nd OBJECTIVE is to develop a bioreactor with low channelling and blockage effects using magnetic resonance imaging as a tool to follow metal accumulation processes and flows noninvasively within the reactor Itself, in order to minimise the blockages and achieve maximal efficiency/capacity at lowest cost. The use of predictive mathematical models developed from the MRI data, will help us cut comers In our quest for portable, effective filters. The 3rd OBJECTIVE is to produce the material cheaply (we may need a lot of it, fast), helped by a previous cost analysis (EU report,1995) which showed that the manufacturing costs are comparable to commercial methods. We will undercut these costs by using a natural plant product as our feed material to make the ion exchanging overcoat and by growing the bacteria beforehand on sugary industrial wastes. The methods were demonstrated in previous projects, and proof of principle was shown using the HUP material to treat real nuclear waste. But not so much is known about the Zr/TiP-based ion exchangers and almost nothing about the postbiosynthesis chemical processing needed to produce the best ion exchange material from the starting bionanolayer. We will utilise state of the art biofilm technology, solid state chemistry and MRI to produce and evaluate a completely new material which is robust, which cannot be made chemically and which will fill the huge gaps between what is available and what we need. We will make a movie of the process for the biggest impact
Publications
Readman JE
(2014)
In-situ high-pressure powder X-ray diffraction study of a-zirconium phosphate.
in Acta crystallographica Section B, Structural science, crystal engineering and materials
Paterson-Beedle M
(2009)
Biorecovery of Uranium from Minewaters into Pure Mineral Product at the Expense of Plant Wastes
in Advanced Materials Research
Macaskie L
(2009)
Today's Wastes, Tomorrow's Materials for Environmental Protection
in Advanced Materials Research
Graf Von Der Schulenburg DA
(2008)
Spatially resolved quantification of metal ion concentration in a biofilm-mediated ion exchanger.
in Biotechnology and bioengineering
Paterson-Beedle M
(2012)
Radiotolerance of phosphatases of a Serratia sp.: potential for the use of this organism in the biomineralization of wastes containing radionuclides.
in Biotechnology and bioengineering
Paterson-Beedle M
(2012)
Radiotolerance of phosphatases of a Serratia sp.: potential for the use of this organism in the biomineralization of wastes containing radionuclides.
in Biotechnology and bioengineering
Mennan C
(2010)
Accumulation of zirconium phosphate by a Serratia sp.: a benign system for the removal of radionuclides from aqueous flows.
in Biotechnology letters
Handley-Sidhu S
(2014)
Bacterially produced calcium phosphate nanobiominerals: sorption capacity, site preferences, and stability of captured radionuclides.
in Environmental science & technology
Gangappa R
(2015)
Hydroxyapatite Biosynthesis by a Serratia sp. and Application of Nanoscale Bio-HA in the Recovery of Strontium and Europium
in Geomicrobiology Journal
Paterson-Beedle M
(2006)
Utilisation of a hydrogen uranyl phosphate-based ion exchanger supported on a biofilm for the removal of cobalt, strontium and caesium from aqueous solutions
in Hydrometallurgy
Title | Nil |
Description | Nil |
Type Of Art | Image |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Impact | Nil |
Description | Nil |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in systematic reviews |
Description | H2O Ventures Ltd |
Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | H2O Venture Partners |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Technology Proof of Concept |
Amount | £177,581 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/L012537/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2014 |
End | 01/2015 |
Title | Nil |
Description | Nil |
Type Of Material | Biological samples |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Nil |
Title | Nil |
Description | Nil |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Nil |
Description | CTech Innovation Ltd |
Organisation | C-Tech Innovation |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | ISIS Innovation Ltd |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Department | Oxford University Innovation |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
Start Year | 2006 |
Title | Nil |
Description | Nil |
IP Reference | |
Protection | Protection not required |
Year Protection Granted | |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Nil |
Title | Nil |
Description | Nil |
Type | Products with applications outside of medicine |
Current Stage Of Development | Initial development |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2014 |
Development Status | On hold |
Impact | Nil |
Title | Nil |
Description | Nil |
Type Of Technology | New Material/Compound |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Impact | Nil |
Description | Association of Science Educators Conference Jan 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | very interactive live demonstrations with working models sparked much interest among school teachers etc Several Schools asked if we could take the exhibit round to them but this was not possible due to manpower limitations and the administration involved |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |