Precipitation of Scale-Forming Species During Processing of High-Level Wastes
High-level wastes from fuel-reprocessing operations are being evaporated at the DOE Savannah River Site to concentrate the liquids to about 30 to 40% of their original volume before they are discharged into a holding tank. Recently, the operation of one of the evaporators became progressively more difficult due to more frequent buildup of limited solubility aluminosilicate compounds resulting in the shutdown of the evaporator. Our research objectives were to identify and characterize the chemistry and microstructure of these scale-forming species and to determine the kinetics of formation and transformation of these solids under evaporator conditions. The data we obtained from these tests showed that hydroxide concentration and process temperature are the key factors that control the rate of formation and transformation of the scale forming solids such as zeolite A, sodalite and cancrinite.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab., Richland, WA; Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Aiken, SC (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC) (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 825952
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 227th American Chemical Society Meeting, Anaheim, CA (US), 03/28/2004--04/01/2004; Other Information: PBD: 29 Mar 2004
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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