Assessment of the Mechanisms for Sr-90 and Tru Removal from Complexant-Containing Tank Wastes at Hanford

Journal Article · Tue Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 2005 · Separation Science and Technology, 40(1-3):171-183

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1081/SS-200041906· OSTI ID:15020527

Hallen, Richard T; Geeting, John GH; Lilga, Michael A; Hart, Todd R; Hoopes, Francis V

Small-scale tests (~20 mL) were conducted with samples from Hanford underground storage tanks AN-102 and AN-107 to assess the mechanisms for removing Sr-90 and transuranics (TRU) from the liquid (supernatant) portion of the waste. The Sr-90 and TRU must be removed (decontaminated), in addition to Cs-137 and the entrained solids, before the supernatant can be disposed of as low-activity waste. Experiments were conducted with various reagents and modified Sr/TRU removal process conditions to more fully understand the reaction mechanisms. The optimized treatment conditions--no added hydroxide, addition of Sr (0.02M target concentration) followed by sodium permanganate (0.02M target concentration) with mixing at ambient temperature--were used as a reference for comparison. The waste was initially two orders of magnitude undersaturated with Sr; the addition of nonradioactive Sr(NO₃) ₂ saturated the supernatant, resulting in isotopic dilution and precipitation of Sr-90 as SrCO₃. The reaction chemistry of Mn species relevant to the mechanism of TRU removal by permanganate treatment was evaluated, along with the importance of various mechanisms for decontamination, such as precipitation, absorption, ligand exchange, and oxidation of organic complexants. For TRU removal, permanganate addition generally gave the highest DF. The addition of Mn of lower oxidation states (II, IV, and VI) also resulted in good TRU removal, as did complexant oxidation with periodate and addition of Zr(IV) for ligand exchange. These results suggest that permanganate treatment leads to TRU removal by multiple routes.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 15020527
• Report Number(s): PNWD-SA-6239; TRN: US0504624
• Journal Information: Separation Science and Technology, 40(1-3):171-183, Vol. 40, Issue 1-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ABSORPTION
DILUTION
ION EXCHANGE
OXIDATION
PERIODATES
PERMANGANATES
PRECIPITATION
REACTION KINETICS
REMOVAL
HANFORD RESERVATION
STORAGE FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
STRONTIUM 90
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
pretreatment
radioactive waste
precipitation
strontium
permanganate
separation
decontamination