Xe/Kr Selectivity Measurements using AgZ-PAN at Various Temperatures

Technical Report · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1236829· OSTI ID:1236829

Garn, Troy Gerry ^[1]; Greenhalgh, Mitchell Randy ^[1]; Watson, Tony Leroy ^[1]

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1. Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

In preparation for planned FY-15 Xe/Kr multi-column testing, a series of experiments were performed to determine the selectivity of Xe over Kr using the silver converted mordenite-polyacrylonitrile (AgZ-PAN) sorbent. Results from these experiments will be used for parameter selection guidelines to define test conditions for Kr gas capture purity evaluations later this year. The currently configured experimental test bed was modified by installing a new cooling apparatus to permit future multi-column testing with independent column temperature control. The modified test bed will allow for multi-column testing to facilitate a Xe separation followed by a Kr separation using engineered form sorbents. Selectivity experiments were run at temperatures of 295, 250 and 220 K. Two feed gas compositions of 1000 ppmv Xe, 150 ppmv Kr in either a He or an air balance were used. AgZ-PAN sorbent selectivity was calculated using Xe and Kr capacity determinations. AgZ-PAN sorbent selectivities for Xe over Kr of 72 were calculated at room temperature (295 K) using the feed gas with a He balance and 34 using the feed gas with an air balance. As the test temperatures were decreased the selectivity of Xe over Kr also decreased due to an increase in both Xe and Kr capacities. At 220 K, the sorbent selectivities for Xe over Kr were 22 using the feed gas with a He balance and 28 using the feed gas with an air balance. The selectivity results indicate that AgZ-PAN used in the first column of a multi-column configuration will provide adequate partitioning of Xe from Kr in the tested temperature range to produce a more pure Kr end product for collection.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517
• OSTI ID: 1236829
• Report Number(s): INL/EXT--15-35115
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ABSORBENTS
AIR
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
EVALUATION
HELIUM
KRYPTON
MORDENITE
NITRILES
OFF-GAS SYSTEMS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PERFORMANCE
SEPARATION EQUIPMENT
SILVER
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0065-0273 K
TESTING
UNF reprocessing
XENON
off-gas treatment
xenon/krypton physisorption