Method for Removing Gadolinium from Used Heavy Water Reactor Moderator

Journal Article · Wed Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2003 · Nuclear Technology

OSTI ID:20837802

Wilde, Edward W ^[1]; Berry, Christopher J ^[1]; Goli, Mudlagiri B ^[2]

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1. Westinghouse Savannah River Company (United States)
2. Mississippi Valley State University (United States)

A novel process is described that treats used heavy water moderator (D{sub 2}O) contaminated with high concentrations of the neutron poison gadolinium nitrate, Gd(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}. Gadolinium is removed by precipitation. The resultant precipitate, GdPO{sub 4}.6H{sub 2}O, represents an extremely rare compound of considerable potential value. The resultant supernatant consisting of residual nitrate, NaNO{sub 3} or KNO{sub 3}, is less toxic and easier to process than the original waste. Thus, the alkali metal waste handling can be done with considerably less environmental concern. This waste can potentially be treated by a combination of electrochemical and biological methods.

• OSTI ID: 20837802
• Journal Information: Nuclear Technology, Vol. 144, Issue 1; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2006 American Nuclear Society (ANS), United States, All rights reserved. http://epubs.ans.org/; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0029-5450
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ALKALI METALS
GADOLINIUM
GADOLINIUM NITRATES
HEAVY WATER
MODERATORS
NEUTRONS
POTASSIUM NITRATES
PRECIPITATION
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SODIUM NITRATES