Improving feed slurry rheology by colloidal techniques
Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PSN) has investigated three colloidal techniques in the laboratory to improve the sedimentation and flowability of Hanford simulated (nonradioactive) current acid waste (CAW) melter feed slurry: polymer-induced bridging flocculation; manipulating glass former (raw SiO/sub 2/ or frit) particle size; and alteration of nitric acid content. All three methods proved successful in improving the rheology of the simulated CAW feed. This initially had exhibited nearly worst-case flow and clogging properties, but was transformed into a flowable, resuspendable (nonclogging) feed. While each has advantages and disadvantages, the following three specific alternatives proved successful: addition of a polyelectrolyte in 2000 ppM concentration to feed slurry; substitution of a 49 wt % SiO/sub 2/ colloidal suspension (approx. 10-micron particle size) for the -325 mesh (less than or equal to 44-micron particle size) raw-chemical SiO/sub 2/; and increase of nitric acid content from the reference 1.06 M to optimum 1.35 M. The first method, polymer-induced bridging flocculation, results in a high sediment volume, nonclogging CAW feed. The second method, involving the use of colloidal silica particles results in a nonsedimenting feed that when left unagitated forms a gel. The third method, increase in feed acidity, results in a highly resuspendable (nonclogging) melter feed. Further research is therefore required to determine which of the three alternatives is the preferred method of achieving rheological control of CAW melter feeds.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 6765034
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-5007; ON: DE84014858
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CERAMIC MELTERS
FLUID FLOW
SLURRIES
RHEOLOGY
ELECTROLYTES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLOCCULATION
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
NITRIC ACID
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
SEDIMENTATION
SEDIMENTS
VITRIFICATION
DATA
DISPERSIONS
ELECTRIC FURNACES
FURNACES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
INORGANIC ACIDS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MIXTURES
NUMERICAL DATA
PRECIPITATION
PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SUSPENSIONS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES
052001* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Processing