PROPOSAL FOR INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT FOR TREATMENT OF ORNL HIGH LEVEL WASTE
It is proposed that neutralized ORNL storage tank supernate waste be used as a feed for a waste processing development facility. An electrolytic cell can be installed to remove nitrate and ruthenium from the wastes prior to discharge to the soil disposal pits. This eliminates the hazards of nitrate and ruthenium in the ORNL soil disposal pits. In addition, a continuous ion exchange unit can be installed to study the isolation of fission products from a portion of the waste stream. The total waste stream can be processed by the ion exchange if desired. A six to eight inch diameter continuous ion exchange contactor is considered sufficient to remove cesium, strontium, and rare earths from 5,000 to 10,000 gallons of waste per day. The estimated installed cost of such a unit is about ,000. The labor and chemical operating cost at 100% overhead is estimated at .50 per day. Three types of electrolytic cells were considered. All of the cells remove about 90% of the ruthenium by plating on the cathode. It is expected that the degree of ruthenium removed may be increased by further laboratory development. The first cell type is the Ionics cell which converts NaNO/sub 3/ to NaOH and HNO/sub 3/ for recycle. The second is the nitrate reduction (or destruction) cell which produces caustic and ammonia gas, as studied by KAPL. The acid-base cell is favored because of a factor of 8 lower power consumption, and the nitric acid may be reused as well as sodium hydroxide. An acid-base cell with rectifier for 5,000 gallons per day of 0.3 M NaNO/sub 3/ waste is estimated at about ,000. The operating cost with 100% overhead, including labor, electricity, and cell maintenance is estimated at .72 per day. Operations may be credited with per day of caustic and per day of nitric acid. If it is desired to isolate the ruthenium and not remove the nitrate, a simplified electrolytic cell may be used. Cell cost is estimited at approximates 80% of the acid-base cell and about one tenth the cost for a rectifier. About 90% of the ruthenium may be conveniently removed. Technetium is not considered a radioactive hazard, but recovery is considered because of its value and expected ease of recovery. Technetium is not scavenged and has a very great affinity for anion resin. At current prices it is estimated that 0.25 g per day of technetium is being discharged at ORNL, which at present prices is 000/day. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-008219
- OSTI ID:
- 4271458
- Report Number(s):
- CF-57-10-129
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
AMMONIA
ANIONS
CESIUM
CONVERSION
ECONOMICS
ELECTRICITY
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
FISSION PRODUCTS
ION EXCHANGE
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
MAINTENANCE
NITRATES
NITRIC ACID
RARE EARTHS
RECOVERY
REDUCTION
RESINS
RUTHENIUM
SODIUM CARBONATES
SODIUM HYDROXIDES
SODIUM NITRATES
SOILS
STORAGE
STRONTIUM
TECHNETIUM
VESSELS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE SOLUTIONS