Waste management analysis for the nuclear fuel cycle: Parts I and II. Progress report, April 1--September 30, 1977. [Actinide recovery from waste]

Technical Report · Mon Oct 23 04:00:00 EDT 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6441796· OSTI ID:6441796

Navratil, J. D.; Martella, L. L.; Smith, C. M.; Thompson, G. H.; Cash, D. L.; Childs, E. L.; Meile, L. J.

A preliminary evaluation of methods for the salt waste and waste water streams and recycle preparation problems was completed. A feasibility study for removing actinides from synthetic salt waste showed that a bidentate organophosphorus extractant is the most efficient for actinide removal. The evaluation of adsorbents for removing detergents and anions from waste water suggests the use of a combination of non-ionic and a strong base ion exchange resin for best results. Evaluation of leaching and dissolution methods for the recovery of actinides from combustible waste (incinerator ash) was continued. Two promising recovery methods are: (1) reaction with cerium(IV) in nitric acid to solubilize carbon and actinide oxides, and (2) fusion with carbonate--nitrate mixtures. Silica proved to be a problem. If dissolved, it interferes with subsequent actinide recovery by forming polysilicic acid upon acidification. If not solubilized, silica-encapsulated actinide oxides may not be contacted by the dissolvent. Pretreatment of ash by refluxing with greater than or equal to 6M sodium hydroxide appears to remove silica, simplifying subsequent recovery steps.

• Research Organization: Atomics International Div., Golden, CO (USA). Rocky Flats Plant
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-3533
• OSTI ID: 6441796
• Report Number(s): RFP-2749
• 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
ACTINIDES
ADSORBENTS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
AMERICIUM
ASHES
CERIUM COMPOUNDS
DISSOLUTION
ELEMENTS
FUEL CYCLE
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
LEACHING
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MELTING
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PLUTONIUM
PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
RARE EARTH COMPOUNDS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESIDUES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM HYDROXIDES
SOLID WASTES
TRANSPLUTONIUM ELEMENTS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER