Summary of recent Raman Spectroscopy testing of SRS processes

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1237310· OSTI ID:1237310

Fondeur, F. F. ^[1]; Lascola, R. J. ^[1]; O'Rourke, P. E. ^[1]

---

1. Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States). Savannah River National Lab. (SRNL)

This report describes several scoping projects conducted at SRNL using Raman spectroscopic methods for monitoring different aspects of nuclear waste and materials processing. One project examined the suitability of a Raman telescope for in situ measurement of solid residues in waste tanks. Characteristics evaluated for this equipment included radiation resistance, ease of use, and sensitivity. A second project monitored the nitrate content in liquid filtrate from the testing of a rotary microfilter using a fiber-based insertion probe. The third project made Raman measurements of various gases, including H₂ and NO_x, in the headspace of a vessel while dissolving aluminum coupons in nitric acid. Measurements followed the evolution of these species in real time. Although the majority of these projects occurred in the laboratory environment, SRNL has substantial experience with implementing other optical techniques into nuclear materials processing environments. The work described in this report shows the potential of the Raman technology to provide real time measurements of species such as nitrate or hydroxide during sludge washing or evolved gases such as hydrogen or NO_x during waste processing.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-08SR22470
• OSTI ID: 1237310
• Report Number(s): SRNL-STI-2015-00643; TRN: US1600302
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
GASES
NITRATES
NITRIC ACID
TANKS
ALUMINIUM
HYDROGEN
TESTING
HYDROXIDES
LIQUIDS
MONITORS
WASHING
TIME DEPENDENCE
MONITORING
RESIDUES
SENSITIVITY
SLUDGES
TELESCOPES
RADIATION HARDNESS
FILTERS
NITROGEN OXIDES
DISSOLUTION