Control of high level radioactive waste-glass melters. Part 6, Noble metal catalyzed formic acid decomposition, and formic acid/denitration
A necessary step in Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) melter feed preparation for the immobilization of High Level Radioactive Waste (HLW) is reduction of Hg(II) to Hg(0), permitting steam stripping of the Hg. Denitrition and associated NOx evolution is a secondary effect of the use of formic acid as the mercury-reducing agent. Under certain conditions the presence of transition or noble metals can result in significant formic acid decomposition, with associated CO{sub 2} and H{sub 2} evolution. These processes can result in varying redox properties of melter feed, and varying sequential gaseous evolution of oxidants and hydrogen. Electrochemical methods for monitoring the competing processes are discussed. Laboratory scale techniques have been developed for simulating the large-scale reactions, investigating the relative effectiveness of the catalysts, and the effectiveness of catalytic poisons. The reversible nitrite poisoning of formic acid catalysts is discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Aiken, SC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-89SR18035
- OSTI ID:
- 10131083
- Report Number(s):
- WSRC-MS--90-363; CONF-9104256--10-Pt.6; ON: DE92009758
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Hydrogen generation during treatments of simulated high-level radioactive waste with formic acid
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400400
CARBON DIOXIDE
CHEMICAL EFFLUENTS
DECOMPOSITION
DENITRATION
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ELECTRODES
FORMIC ACID
HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
HYDROGEN
MERCURY IONS
NITRITES
NITROGEN OXIDES
PH VALUE
REDOX POTENTIAL
REDUCTION
VITRIFICATION
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS