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Title: Carbollide solubility and chemical compatibility summary

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10105577· OSTI ID:10105577

This report examines the value of the cobalt dicarbollide anion as an effective form of in-tank precipitation. The cobalt dicarbollide anion (CDC) has been investigated for the possible replacement of tetraphenyl borate anion (TPB) for precipitation of cesium in SRS High Level Waste (HLW). The solubility of the cesium CDC in 5 M salt solutions and the reactivity with caustic have been studied extensively. The solubility of CSCDC in a mixture of 4 M sodium nitrate and 1 m sodium hydroxide is {approximately}2 {times} 10{sup {minus}3} M at 40{degrees}C. Furthermore, the CDC decomposes in 1 M sodium hydroxide solution with apparent first order kinetics with a half-life of 7.3 days at 60 {degrees}C and 94 days at 40{degrees}C. Tank temperatures are currently estimated to approach 60{degrees}C during the ITP filtration cycle. This solubility and rapid decomposition of the CDC under highly alkaline conditions and high temperature would require increasing the quantity of CDC and nonradioactive cesium which must be added, increasing the cost of production. Increasing the quantity of CDC would necessitate recovery of the material, probably using a solvent extraction system. Due to the large amount of nonradioactive cesium which must be added, the total amount of precipitate formed exceeds that for TPB precipitation. Also, formation of sodium and/or potassium precipitates compete with cesium salt precipitation in 5 M salt solutions at lower temperature (<30{degrees}C). Decomposition generates hydrogen, which may lead to process complications.

Research Organization:
Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC09-89SR18035
OSTI ID:
10105577
Report Number(s):
WSRC-RP-93-1325; ON: DE94003121; TRN: 94:000205
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 17 Aug 1993
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English