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Title: Design of zeolite ion-exchange columns for wastewater treatment

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6026835

Oak Ridge National Laboratory plans to use chabazite zeolites for decontamination of wastewater containing parts-per-billion levels of {sup 90}Sr and {sup 137}Cs. Treatability studies indicate that such zeolites can remove trace amounts of {sup 90}Sr and {sup 137}Cs from wastewater containing high concentrations of calcium and magnesium. These studies who that zeolite system efficiency is dependent on column design and operating conditions. Previous results with bench-scale, pilot-scale, and near-full-scale columns indicate that optimized design of full-scale columns could reduce the volume of spent solids generation by one-half. The data indicate that shortcut scale-up methods cannot be used to design columns to minimize secondary waste generation. Since the secondary waste generation rate is a primary influence on process cost effectiveness, a predictive mathematical model for column design is being developed. Equilibrium models and mass-transfer mechanisms are being experimentally determined for isothermal multicomponent ion exchange (Ca, Mg, Na, Cs, and Sr). Mathematical models of these data to determine the breakthrough curves for different column configurations and operating conditions will be used to optimize the final design of full-scale treatment plant. 32 refs., 6 figs., 3 tabs.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
6026835
Report Number(s):
CONF-911133-4; ON: DE92001959
Resource Relation:
Conference: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) annual meeting, Los Angeles, CA (United States), 17-22 Nov 1991
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English