GLYCOLIC - FORMIC ACID FLOWSHEET DEVELOPMENT
Flowsheet testing was performed to further develop the nitric/glycolic/formic acid flowsheet as an alternative to the nitric/formic flowsheet currently being processed at the DWPF. This new flowsheet has shown that mercury can be removed in the Sludge Receipt and Adjustment Tank (SRAT) with minimal hydrogen generation. All other processing objectives were also met, including greatly reducing the Slurry Mix Evaporator (SME) product yield stress as compared to the baseline nitric/formic flowsheet. Eight runs were performed in total, including the baseline run. The baseline nitric/formic flowsheet run was extremely difficult to process under existing DWPF acceptance criteria with this simulant at the HM levels of noble metals. While nitrite was destroyed and mercury was removed to near the DWPF limit, the rheology of the SRAT and SME products were well above design basis and hydrogen generation far exceeded the DWPF limit. In addition, mixing during the SME cycle was very poor. In this sense, the nitric/glycolic/formic acid flowsheet represents a significant upgrade over the current flowsheet. In the nitric/glycolic/formic flowsheet runs, mercury was successfully removed with almost no hydrogen generation and the SRAT and SME products yield stresses were within process limits or previously processed ranges. It is recommended that DWPF continue to support development of the nitric/glycolic/formic flowsheet. Although experience is limited at this time, this flowsheet meets or outperforms the current flowsheet in many regards, including off-gas generation, mercury removal, product rheology and general ease of processing. Additional flowsheet testing will allow for a more thorough understanding of the chemistry and effectiveness of the flowsheet over a range of sludge compositions and formic/glycolic ratios. This testing will also show whether the REDOX and metal solubility concerns with this change in the flowsheet can be addressed by just adjusting the volumes of glycolic acid added. The outstanding issues regarding the glycolic/formic flowsheet include increasing understanding of the impact on glass REDOX control and increased metal solubility, particularly iron, during processing. Additionally, evaluations of the utility of the flowsheet over varying sludge compositions should be completed to ensure flowsheet robustness. Work has already been initiated to further understand the REDOX and iron solubility areas.
- Research Organization:
- Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC09-08SR22470
- OSTI ID:
- 1001175
- Report Number(s):
- SRNL-STI-2010-00523A; TRN: US1100389
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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