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Title: Proof-of-concept flowsheet tests for caustic-side solvent extraction of cesium from tank waste.

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/779797· OSTI ID:779797

A caustic-side solvent extraction (CSSX) process to remove cesium from Savannah River Site (SRS) high-level waste was tested in a minicontactor (2-cm centrifugal contactor). In the first phase of this effort, the minicontactor stage efficiency was improved from 60% to greater than 80% to meet the SRS process requirements using a 32-stage CSSX flowsheet. Then, the CSSX flowsheet was demonstrated in a 32-stage unit, first without solvent recycle, then with it. In both cases, the key process goals were achieved: (1) the cesium was removed from the waste with decontamination factors greater than 40,000 and (2) the recovered cesium was concentrated by a factor of 15 in dilute nitric acid. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) analysis of the recycled solvent showed no evidence of impurity buildup.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Department of Energy (US)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31-109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
779797
Report Number(s):
ANL-00/30; TRN: US0102434
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 21 Mar 2001
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English