Indirect freeze-crystallization of radioactive sodium nitrate-bearing liquid waste
- Rust-Clemson Technical Center, Anderson, SC (United States)
An indirect-contact freeze crystallization process has been successfully demonstrated for volume reduction of a radioactive high-sodium surrogate liquid waste, with simultaneous removal (eutectic separation) of the sodium as sodium nitrate, NaNO{sub 3}. The objectives for this technology development/demonstration effort were to determine the applicability and feasibility of indirect-contact freeze crystallization as a liquid waste concentration and partitioning technology for aqueous nitrate tank wastes typical of those existing within the DOE. To avoid the generation of mixed wastes, the tests were conducted using a synthetic liquid waste containing dissolved radionuclides and surrogates for (RCRA) hazardous constituents. The project was successful based on the criteria stated in the original scope-of-work, ie., we have demonstrated (i) volume reduction, by removal of water as ice crystals; (ii) removal of > 80% of sodium, as sodium nitrate (NaNO{sub 3}); (iii) radionuclide contamination in the sodium nitrate product was below the Class A Waste Requirements; and (iv) a predictive, quantitative mathematical model describing the freeze process has been developed.
- OSTI ID:
- 210260
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9509139--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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