Evaluation of Gas Disengaging Equipment Supporting a Crystalline Silicotitanate Ion-Exchange Column System
The objective of this experimental program was to evaluate the effectiveness of gas-disengaging equipment (GDE) to separate gas from the liquid effluent of CST ion-exchange columns. The GDE designed for this evaluation supports four fundamental separation methods: (1) passive settling, (2) gas sparging to strip entrained gas or gas bubbles, (3) subatmospheric pressure separation, and (4) injection of ultrasonic waves to induce coalescence of bubbles with attendant settling. These methods may be used separately or in combination, provided that the selections are not mutually exclusive (e.g., passive settling and gas sparging are mutually exclusive by definition). The method using ultrasonic waves is limited because the acoustic actuator cannot be used on a continuous basis; only intermittent bursts are recommended to prevent overheating and subsequent failure. Each separation method was evaluated to determine which, if any, would be suitable for application to CST ion-exchange columns. The GDE supports two general modes of column operation. In one mode, the GDE operates at an elevated pressure and the feed pump must push fluid through the series of columns. In the other mode, operation proceeds in a vented condition and an interstage pump is required to reelevate the liquid pressure to feed the downstream column. In the third mode, the GDE may be bypassed to obtain base-line data in the absence of gas removal. Again, the feed pump must overcome the frictional losses and elevation differences associated with both columns. The efficiency/effectiveness of the GDE is based on the fraction of undissolved gas removed in the unit and on the size of the gas bubbles carried into and out of the unit with the liquid stream. Optimization of combinations of the fundamental separation methods is beyond the scope of the tests reported here. Pressure drop (caused by resistance to flow) in the second column was measured since increases can be used as an indirect indicator of gas accumulation in the column. Gas accumulation was also detected through visual observation. The results of these tests provided information on the separation of undissolved gas from liquid salt solution in accordance with the requirements of the technical task plan.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-96OR22464
- OSTI ID:
- 779790
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM-2001/46; TRN: US0102429
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 12 Apr 2001
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
RHEOLOGY OF SETTLED SOLIDS IN THE SMALL COLUMN ION EXCHANGE PROCESS
Laboratory studies of the behavior of undissolved solids in both pulsed and packed column extraction systems