IDAHO CHEMICAL PROCESSING PLANT, RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL PROJECTS TECHNICAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1959

Technical Report · Mon Aug 29 04:00:00 EDT 1960

OSTI ID:4146272

Stevens, J.I. ed.

The progress of extensive laboratory and- pilot-plant work on the fluidized-bsd process for the conversion of radioactive lquid wastes to solids and the progress of construction of a 60-gal/hr facility are reported. Laboratory and pilot-plant studies are directed toward obtaining information on the dynamics of fluidized-bed operations, the removal of volatile fission products and solid particles from gases, and the development of equipment and operating techniques for the design and operation of the demonstrational facility which will test and further develop data and concepts on an engineering scale with high activity level wastes. Various long-temm disposal aspects of radioactive waste disposal continue to be studied. Laboratory studies indicated that strontium is essentially nonvolatile at tempematures up to 1100 deg C. The removal efficiency of electro static precipitators for sub-micron alumina particles from an air stream was found to be in excess of 90% and to improve with retention time of the stream. The distribution of muthenium between solids and off-gases of a fluidizedbed calcining process operated with recycle of liquid from bed calcining process operated with recycle of liquid from a venturi scrubber was found to be appmoximately two parts to the solids and one part to the scrub liquid. A fluorescent method for determining particle growth in a fluidized bed is being investigated. Operating expenience to date with a NaK heat-transfer system was generally satisfactory, although some mechanical problems were encountered. Equipment is being assembled for investigating the metallizing of solid particles in a fluddized bed by the metal spraying technique in an effort to determine if a high integrity coating can be applied for reduction of leaching should ground-water contact solids containing fission products. Construction of a Demonstrational Fluidized Bed Calcining Facility was approximately 65% complete and the completion date was estimated to be mid-June l960. A conceptual design of a Demonstrational High-temperature Solids Stomage Facility indicated the need for corrosion information on materials of construction at elevated tempematures. Short-term tests indicated Inconel and Incoloy to be the best materials for containing calcined alumina at temperatures above 1000DEF, and the results of these tests are reported. (For preceding period see lDO-145l4.) (auth)

• Research Organization: Phillips Petroleum Co. Atomic Energy Div., Idaho Falls, Idaho
• DOE Contract Number: AT(10-1)-205
• NSA Number: NSA-15-001091
• OSTI ID: 4146272
• Report Number(s): IDO-14526
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AIR
ALUMINUM OXIDES
COATING
CONVERSION
CORROSION
FISSION PRODUCTS
GASES
GROUND WATER
HEAT TRANSFER
HIGH TEMPERATURE
LEACHING
MATERIALS TESTING
METALS
NICKEL ALLOYS
PARTICLES
POTASSIUM ALLOYS
PRECIPITATION
RUTHENIUM
SODIUM ALLOYS
SOLIDS
SPUTTERING
STRONTIUM
VOLATILITY
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE DISPOSAL AND PROCESSING
WASTE SOLUTIONS