Electrolytic denitrification of alkaline nitrate and nitrite solution

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6033413

Hobbs, D T; Ebra, M A; Mindler, A B

Processing of high-level waste at the Savannah River Plant (SRP) will produce a low-level alkaline salt solution, containing approximately 17% sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite. This solution will be incorporated into a cement wasteform, saltstone, and placed in an engineered landfill. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated the technical feasibility of electrochemically reducing the nitrate and nitrite in a synthetic, nonradioactive salt solution similar in composition to that expected to be produced at SRP. Greater than ninety-five percent of the sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite can be reduced electrolytically, producing ammonia, nitrogen, oxygen, and sodium hydroxide. Reduction of the nitrate and nitrite will reduce the leaching of nitrate and nitrite from the saltstone monolith. In addition, significant reductions in the volume of saltstone may be realized if the sodium hydroxide produced by electrolysis can be recycled.

• Research Organization: Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, SC (USA). Savannah River Lab.; International Hydronics Corp., Rocky Hill, NJ (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-76SR00001
• OSTI ID: 6033413
• Report Number(s): DP-MS-85-104; CONF-860317-36; ON: DE86008906
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052001* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Processing
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DENITRIFICATION
ELECTROLYSIS
LIQUID WASTES
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
LYSIS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NITRATES
NITRIDES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PNICTIDES
PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM NITRATES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES