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Title: Method for Removing Gadolinium from Used Heavy Water Reactor Moderator

Abstract

A novel process is described that treats used heavy water moderator (D{sub 2}O) contaminated with high concentrations of the neutron poison gadolinium nitrate, Gd(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}. Gadolinium is removed by precipitation. The resultant precipitate, GdPO{sub 4}.6H{sub 2}O, represents an extremely rare compound of considerable potential value. The resultant supernatant consisting of residual nitrate, NaNO{sub 3} or KNO{sub 3}, is less toxic and easier to process than the original waste. Thus, the alkali metal waste handling can be done with considerably less environmental concern. This waste can potentially be treated by a combination of electrochemical and biological methods.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. Westinghouse Savannah River Company (United States)
  2. Mississippi Valley State University (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
20837802
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Nuclear Technology
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 144; Journal Issue: 1; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2006 American Nuclear Society (ANS), United States, All rights reserved. http://epubs.ans.org/; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0029-5450
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; ALKALI METALS; GADOLINIUM; GADOLINIUM NITRATES; HEAVY WATER; MODERATORS; NEUTRONS; POTASSIUM NITRATES; PRECIPITATION; RADIOACTIVE WASTES; SODIUM NITRATES

Citation Formats

Wilde, Edward W, Berry, Christopher J, and Goli, Mudlagiri B. Method for Removing Gadolinium from Used Heavy Water Reactor Moderator. United States: N. p., 2003. Web.
Wilde, Edward W, Berry, Christopher J, & Goli, Mudlagiri B. Method for Removing Gadolinium from Used Heavy Water Reactor Moderator. United States.
Wilde, Edward W, Berry, Christopher J, and Goli, Mudlagiri B. 2003. "Method for Removing Gadolinium from Used Heavy Water Reactor Moderator". United States.
@article{osti_20837802,
title = {Method for Removing Gadolinium from Used Heavy Water Reactor Moderator},
author = {Wilde, Edward W and Berry, Christopher J and Goli, Mudlagiri B},
abstractNote = {A novel process is described that treats used heavy water moderator (D{sub 2}O) contaminated with high concentrations of the neutron poison gadolinium nitrate, Gd(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}. Gadolinium is removed by precipitation. The resultant precipitate, GdPO{sub 4}.6H{sub 2}O, represents an extremely rare compound of considerable potential value. The resultant supernatant consisting of residual nitrate, NaNO{sub 3} or KNO{sub 3}, is less toxic and easier to process than the original waste. Thus, the alkali metal waste handling can be done with considerably less environmental concern. This waste can potentially be treated by a combination of electrochemical and biological methods.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/20837802}, journal = {Nuclear Technology},
issn = {0029-5450},
number = 1,
volume = 144,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2003},
month = {Wed Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2003}
}