CHEMICAL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT, JANUARY-MARCH 1962
The processing of Al fuel, principally of the MTR-ETR type, is reported. Processing rate averaged 90% of flow sheet values for the entire operating period, and a U recovery of 99.85% was achieved. Aqueous Zr fuel processing studles continued with the objective of adapting the HF process to continuous dissolution-complexing in order to increase the capacity of the ICPP process while using as much existing equipment as possible to minimize costs. Good results were indicated in a 190-hr run dissolving 2% U-Zr fuel in a Monel dissolver using 4.8M HF-0.03M HNO/sub 3/ dissolvent at 200 deg F; insoluble material did not accumulate in the dissolver, although a U-containing film was formed, apparently in small, equilibrium quantity. Shorter term continuous laboratory dissolutions indicated that 4.8M acid was preferable to 10M acid for the acid feed rate/fuel surface ratios proposed, resulting in dissolver products of greater stability and higher uranium content. Additional laboratory data are presented on UF/sub 4/ hydrate form and solubility, together with maximum dissolvable U compositions with Zircaloy under various flowsheet condltions. Processing of Al alloys containing high Si was found to present no unusual problems in laboratory studies. Siliceous residues resulting from dissolution of Al-U alloys containing 2% Si in HNO/sub 3/ contained no insoluble U, and the occluded U was readily removed by solvent extraction with TBP-Amsco, the normal process extractant. Studies of the electrolytic dissolution process were directed at corrosion measurement and prevention, development of analytical systems for process control, and testing of structural insulating materials for use in the process environment. A measurement of corrosion potential is shown to indicate the instantaneous corrosion rate of stainless steel process equipment containing electrolytic dissolver solutions; this measurement could determine the amount of cathodic protection that might be used to protect certain corrosion sensitive areas. An in-line process solution analyzer was developed and a prototype constructed and placed in use; by simultaneous measurement of electric conductance of two flowing stream samples (one, the original concentration, and the other, a fixed dilution), the concentrations of both dissolver acid and dissolved stainless steel components are determined. The Demonstrational Waste Calcination Facility was operated continuously for 250 hr, showing good mechanical operability of process equipment and close control of process conditions. Escape of solids past the calciner cyclone into the liquid scrubbing system continued to be the principal area of concern. Pilot plant calciner studies indicated the rate of solids carry-over from the cyclone was nearly constant, whether the bed was predominantly alpha or amorphous alumina, however, solids elutriation rate from the bed varied with alumina crystal form. In laboratory studies directed toward calcination of wastes from stainless steel processing, the nitrates of Fe, Ni, and Cr were found to decompose thermally at temperatures approximately the same as those used for aluminum nitrate calcination. Miscellaneous basic process studies reported include experimental verification of analog results on air pulsed extraction column operating characteristics, indication of a method of sampling individual aqueous or organic phases in an operating column, and further evidence of the effectiveness of the cascade control system on the thermosiphon product evaporator. Progress is reported on design of neutron poison plate structures for protection of vessels of unsafe geometrical configuration from criticality incidents in the presence of high concentrations of enriched U. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Phillips Petroleum Co. Atomic Energy Div., Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(10-1)-205
- NSA Number:
- NSA-16-030495
- OSTI ID:
- 4795533
- Report Number(s):
- IDO-14589
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-62
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
AIR
ALUMINUM ALLOYS
ALUMINUM OXIDES
AMSCO
BUTYL PHOSPHATES
CATHODES
CHROMIUM NITRATES
COMPLEXES
CONFIGURATION
CONTROL
COPPER ALLOYS
CORROSION
CORROSION PROTECTION
CYCLONE SEPARATORS
DECOMPOSITION
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTROLYSIS
ENRICHMENT
ETR
EXTRACTION COLUMNS
FUELS
HYDROFLUORIC ACID
IRON NITRATES
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
LATTICES
MATERIALS TESTING
MEASURED VALUES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MONEL
MTR
NEUTRONS
NICKEL ALLOYS
NICKEL NITRATES
NITRIC ACID
OPERATION
PLATES
POISONING
PULSES
QUANTITY RATIO
REACTORS
RECOVERY
REPROCESSING
RESEARCH REACTORS
RESIDUES
SAFETY
SALTS
SA