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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Development of low-level liquid-waste-treatment systems, October 1981-March 1982

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5362959· OSTI ID:5362959

A plant design for a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane unit was completed. The design includes a conceptual diagram, specifications for a RO unit producing 40 gal/min of permeated product, a list of radioisotopes tested on RO units and the rejections achieved, a discussion of the principle of RO, a discussion of the upper limits of cation and anion concentrations (there are no lower limits), a discussion of membrane configurations and porosities, a discussion of factors affecting membranes, a section on calculating the membrane area needed for a particular application, and capital and operating cost calculations. The three factors found to affect the adsorption of cobalt on ion exchange resins were investigated in an interaction effects design experiment. These factors are solution pH, and sulfite and ammonium concentrations. The effects of these factors were investigated with both anionic and cationic resins. Greater than 99% of the cobalt can usually be removed from solutions at a pH between 3 and 6. A design for an ion-exchange pilot plant was completed. The design includes a schematic diagram; flow, resin, and column specifications; impurity limits; and operating and capital costs. A short theoretical discussion and process description are also included. The design retains flexibility so that application to a specific stream can be determined.

Research Organization:
Mound Facility, Miamisburg, OH (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00053
OSTI ID:
5362959
Report Number(s):
MLM-2908; ON: DE82016255
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English