Water Purification for Radioactive Particles

Process Water itself will not be radioactive in this situation. So, the only real task is removal of all radioactive particles. Unfortunately, this normally requires a multi-step approach:

1. Filter using activated charcoal
2. Distillation
3. Reverse-osmosis (if possible)

Note: All containers, filters, etc. will be contaminated by the radioactive particles and should be handled and disposed of accordingly.

Making Activated Charcoal / Activated Carbon:

1. Make a medium-sized fire.
2. Pack a metal pot with small pieces of dry hardwood (the dryer the better). The lid should have a vent hole, but airflow to the inside of the pot should be limited throughout this process.
3. Cook the pot 3-5 hours to make charcoal. When no more smoke or gas seems to be coming from the vent hole, it’s likely finished cooking.
4. Once the charcoal is cool, clean it with water to remove ash and any remaining debris.
5. Grind up the charcoal into a fine powder.
6. Allow the charcoal to dry completely. This may take up to 24 hours.
7. Combine calcium chloride and water in a 1:3 ratio. You need enough solution to cover the charcoal completely. For normal-sized batches, 100g (3.5oz) of chloride mixed with 1.3 cups (310 ml) of water should be enough. CAUTION: Be careful as this solution will get very hot when mixed. Alternately, bleach or lemon juice can be substituted for the calcium chloride solution.
8. Mix the charcoal powder and solution together. Add solution to the powder in small increments, stirring while you do. When the mixture reaches paste consistency, stop adding solution.
9. Cover the bowl and let the charcoal sit for 24 hours.
10. Drain as much of the remaining moisture from the charcoal as possible.
11. Cook the charcoal over a fire/burner for another 3 hours. After cooking, the charcoal will be activated.
12. Place the activated charcoal into a sealed container.