Noble metal catalyzed ammonia generation by formic acid reduction of nitrite in simulated nuclear waste media
- Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States)
- Pacific Northwest National Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
Noble metals, Ru, Rh, and Pd, are present in nuclear wastes as uranium fission products and have been shown to be active catalysts in the hydrogen generation during the treatment of nuclear waste with formic acid for vitrification processing. Rhodium has been identified as the most active catalyst towards hydrogen generation. In addition, formic acid reduction of nitrite and/or nitrate can lead to the production of ammonia which presents a potential safety hazard as a result of accumulation of ammonium nitrate in the vitrification plant ventilation system. Experiments were conducted to determine the extent to which ammonia generation depends on the Rh form. Results reported in this study suggest that a supported, free metal species of Rh (Rh{sup 0}) is a more active catalyst in the production of NH{sub 3} from nitrate than the Rh species which results from addition of a soluble rhodium salt directly to the waste simulant.
- OSTI ID:
- 476602
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960804--Vol.3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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