Development of a Nitric/Formic Acid process to reduce hydrogen emissions during sludge treatment in the DWPF

Conference · Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:10182866

Hsu, C W; Ferrara, D M; Bibler, N E; Ha, B C; Ritter, J A

A new Nitric/Formic Acid (N/FA) flowsheet was developed at the Savannah River Technology Center (SRTC) for use in the Chemical Processing Cell (CPC) of the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF). The flowsheet was successfully demonstrated with simulated sludge using a 2 L bench-scale experimental system and a one-fifth scale (4000 L) pilot facility, and with actual radioactive waste using a 0.1 L apparatus in one of the SRTC shielded cells. Overall, the new N/FA flowsheet compared to the original formic add flowsheet reduced the peak H{sub 2} generation rate by more than a factor of two and resulted in a more gradual rise in the H{sub 2} evolution. Therefore, implementation of the new N/FA flowsheet in the DWPF CPC would result in an increased margin of safety and possibly a reduction in the scope and cost of modifying the DWPF CPC vessel vent system. Also, the new N/FA flowsheet would be compatible with Tank Farm processes and other DWPF flowsheets, and with the implementation of the new Late Wash flowsheet in the DWPF, it would be key to maintaining a proper redox balance of the melter feed.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Aiken, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• OSTI ID: 10182866
• Report Number(s): WSRC-MS-93-021; CONF-930205-81; ON: DE93040180; TRN: 93:021721
• Resource Relation: Conference: Waste management `93,Tucson, AZ (United States),28 Feb - 4 Mar 1993; Other Information: PBD: [1993]
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
HYDROGEN
EMISSION
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
NITRIC ACID
FORMIC ACID
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
VITRIFICATION
052001
540120
WASTE PROCESSING
CHEMICALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT