Control of high level radioactive waste-glass melters. Part 6, Noble metal catalyzed formic acid decomposition, and formic acid/denitration
A necessary step in Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) melter feed preparation for the immobilization of High Level Radioactive Waste (HLW) is reduction of Hg(II) to Hg(0), permitting steam stripping of the Hg. Denitrition and associated NOx evolution is a secondary effect of the use of formic acid as the mercury-reducing agent. Under certain conditions the presence of transition or noble metals can result in significant formic acid decomposition, with associated CO{sub 2} and H{sub 2} evolution. These processes can result in varying redox properties of melter feed, and varying sequential gaseous evolution of oxidants and hydrogen. Electrochemical methods for monitoring the competing processes are discussed. Laboratory scale techniques have been developed for simulating the large-scale reactions, investigating the relative effectiveness of the catalysts, and the effectiveness of catalytic poisons. The reversible nitrite poisoning of formic acid catalysts is discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Aiken, SC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-89SR18035
- OSTI ID:
- 10131083
- Report Number(s):
- WSRC-MS-90-363; CONF-9104256-10-Pt.6; ON: DE92009758
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Symposium on nuclear waste management,Cincinnati, OH (United States),28 Apr - 2 May 1991; Other Information: PBD: [1990]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
VITRIFICATION
MERCURY IONS
REDUCTION
FORMIC ACID
DECOMPOSITION
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS
NITRITES
CHEMICAL EFFLUENTS
NITROGEN OXIDES
HYDROGEN
CARBON DIOXIDE
ELECTRODES
PH VALUE
REDOX POTENTIAL
DENITRATION
HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS
052001
400400
WASTE PROCESSING
ELECTROCHEMISTRY