Patent Number: 048083186
Section: claims

1. A process for separating and recovering cesium ions from a feed solution comprising: contacting the feed solution containing cesium together with other metal ions with a modified phlogopite which is a hydrated, sodium phlogopite mica whereby the cesium ions are selectively taken up by the modified phlogopite, and separating the phlogopite containing the cesium ions from the feed solution, thereby recovering the cesium ions.  contacting the liquid waste with a modified phlogopite which is a hydrated sodium phlogopite mica having a c-axis spacing of about 12.23.ANG. whereby the cesium ions are selectively taken up by the modified phlogopite, and reducing the c-axis spacing an amount sufficient to lock-in the cesium ions, thereby immobilizing the cesium ions for long-term storage. 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the feed solution also contains sodium and calcium ions. 3. The process of claim 2 wherein the modified phlogopite mica has a c-axis spacing of about 12.23.ANG.. 4. A method of recovering and fixing radioactive cesium ions contained in a liquid waste feed solution for long-term storage comprising: 5. The method of claim 4 wherein sufficient cesium ions are taken up by the modified phlogopite to reduce the c-axis spacing. 6. The method of claim 4 wherein the cesium-containing phlogopite is heated to about 150.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to reduce the c-axis spacing.