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The evaluation of aluminum and iron metal oxide settling behaviors for Hanford insoluble solids waste preprocessing

Journal Article · · Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.14248· OSTI ID:2565838
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
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The Hanford site is currently one of the largest and most expensive cleanup sites for hazardous, radioactive waste. Over 20% of the waste found at the Hanford site is in the form of a high activity sludge. The insoluble solids in the sludge will need to be concentrated prior to vitrification in the high-level waste (HLW) melter. This will minimize the amount of liquid that will be evaporated during the melting process and expedite the melter processing rate. One proposed option for concentrating the insoluble solids is gravity settling in the storage tanks. Metal oxide compounds containing aluminum and iron make up the majority of the insoluble solids in the sludge, therefore understanding the behavior of these compounds in various tank waste matrices can facilitate sludge pretreatment options. A study of non-radioactive slurry solutions containing Al(OH)3 (gibbsite), AlO(OH) (boehmite), and Fe2O3 (iron (III) oxide) was conducted to determine the time dependent interface behavior and settling rates of these compounds. Variations in solids loading and sodium concentration were evaluated to represent waste processing conditions and the results of these settling studies were compared with prior tank waste settling tests. Information gathered from these studies can be used to inform future decisions on sludge treatment processes of the insoluble solids processed at the Hanford site.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
2565838
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA--178167
Journal Information:
Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy, Journal Name: Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 43; ISSN 1944-7442
Publisher:
WileyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Figures / Tables (23)

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