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Laboratory development of a pot calcination process for converting liquid wastes to solids

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5421216· OSTI ID:5421216
Simulated Darex, Purex, Thorex, and TBP-25 wastes were batch-evaporated and calcined to solids. The weight of residue was decreased to approx. 8% of the original waste for Darex, to approx. 4% for Purex, to approx. 2% for Thorex, and approx. 7% for TBP-25 by calcination to 1200/sup 0/C. Semicontinuous evaporation and calcination to solids at 900/sup 0/C of Darex and Purex wastes gave volume reduction factors of approx. 8 and 7 to 10, respectively. The nitrate contents of the residues from batch calcination to 800/sup 0/C were from approx. 0.07 to 0.5 wt % while the nitrate contents of the residues from semicontinuous calcination to 900/sup 0/C were from approx. 0.1 to 0.7 wt %. Sodium, calcium, and magnesium additives to Purex waste decreased the percent of sulfate volatilized into the condensate from approx. 30% to <0.5%. Replacement of the atmosphere above the waste with nitric oxide decreased ruthenium volatility from 50 to 60% of that originally present in Purex waste to 0.5 to 3.5%. The thermal conductivities for the calcined wastes, measured in situ, were all >0.1 Btu/hr ft /sup 0/F at approx. 400/sup 0/F and increased almost linearly with increasing temperature to >0.3 Btu/hr ft /sup 0/F at approx. 1600/sup 0/F in all cases studied.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
5421216
Report Number(s):
ORNL-2986
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English