Effect of sucrose on foaming and melting behavior of a low‐activity waste melter feed

Journal Article · 10 July 2019 · Journal of the American Ceramic Society

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.16675 · OSTI ID:1532779

Appel, Connor J. ^[1]; Kloužek, Jaroslav  ^[2]; Jani, Nikhil ^[1]; Lee, Seung Min  ^[1]; Dixon, Derek R. ^[1]; Hrma, Pavel ^[1]; Pokorný, Richard  ^[2]; Schweiger, Michael J. ^[1]; Kruger, Albert A. ^[3]

---

1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland WA USA
2. Laboratory of Inorganic Materials Joint Workplace of the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague Prague Czech Republic, Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics of the ASCR Prague Czech Republic
3. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of River Protection Richland WA USA

Abstract Reductants, such as sucrose (C ₁₂ H ₂₂ O ₁₁ ), are added to nuclear waste melter feeds containing high fractions of nitrates and nitrites to reduce excessive foaming during feed‐to‐glass conversion, decrease sulfate segregation, and increase technetium retention. The effect of sucrose on foaming and melting reactions during the conversion was examined using the feed volume expansion test, thermogravimetric analysis, evolved gas analysis, x‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x‐ray spectrometry. Different amounts of sucrose were added to vary the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio in the melter feed. As the C/N ratio increased, the extent of foaming decreased, and the N ₂ /NO ratio increased in the evolved gas. Significant foam suppression, rapid gas release at approximately 250°C, and reduction in transition metal oxides were observed at C/N > 1.1.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1532779
• Journal Information: Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Journal Name: Journal of the American Ceramic Society Vol. 102 Journal Issue: 12; ISSN 0002-7820
• Publisher: Wiley-BlackwellCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English