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DOE OSTI2024

Phase field-volumetric lattice Boltzmann model of ion uptake in porous nuclear waste form materials under continuous flow

The flow field within the mesopores of sorbent particles plays a crucial role in radionuclide diffusion and ion uptake kinetics, thus, impacting the overall performance of porous nuclear waste form materials. To fundamentally understand the influence of microstructures and material properties on the radionuclide absorption and retention processes requires a coupled multi-physics model that considers the advection and diffusion within the flow field, the reaction at liquid-solid interfaces, and finally, the solid-state diffusion within a complex nanoporous medium. Here, this study employs the volumetric lattice Boltzmann method (VLBM) to accurately and efficiently calculate the steady state velocity field inside the mesopores of sorbent particles. The obtained velocity field is then utilized to calculate the advection of ions in the steady flow. A phase field (PF) model of ion uptake is used to describe the reaction occurring at the solid-liquid interface and diffusion inside the porous medium. The integrated PF-VLBM model is verified in terms of the mass conservation and numerical efficiency and validated qualitatively with experimental observation data. Then, it is applied to study the influence of thermodynamic and kinetic properties, as well as flow field conditions on the ion uptake kinetics. The numerical results demonstrate that the ion uptake kinetics in porous particles has three distinct stages, which is in agreement with the observations in continuous flow experiments. In the first stage, the kinetics is predominantly controlled by the flow field and ion diffusivity in the liquid phase. The kinetics in the second stage is primarily governed by ion diffusivity in the solid phase. In the third stage the system reaches a dynamic equilibrium with a net zero uptake flux at the interface. It is also found that porous structures significantly affect the efficiency and capacity of ion uptake. The simulation results can help to understand the physics behind the observed ion uptake kinetics in experiments and to facilitate the development of constitutive equations that can account for heterogeneous microstructures in engineering performance codes.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2024

Distributed sustainable metals production: opportunities for intensifying separations & alternative feedstocks

Meeting the increased demand for rare earth elements and beyond primary mined ore. Secondary sources like phosphogypsum, coal fly ash, used nuclear fuel, and electronic waste are concentrated sources of critical minerals. One strategy for a resilient supply chain is to decentralize sourcing and hydrometallurgical processing of metals. Rotating packed beds (RPBs) for solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction are gaining momentum for their ability to increase process throughput by 5-10x the state of the art. In conclusion, this review discusses advances in hydrometallurgical RPB processes and opportunities for implementation in distributed metals production.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2024

Recycling of additively printed anisotropic Nd-Fe-B bonded magnets

A high potential cost-effective and environmentally friendly method has been applied for recycling anisotropic Nd-Fe-B bonded magnets. Waste additively printed Hydrogenation-Disproportionation-Desorption-Recombination (HDDR) Nd-Fe-B anisotropic bonded magnet was pulverized into composite powder containing Nd-Fe-B particles and nylon binder through cryomilling at a liquid nitrogen temperature (~77 K) under Ar inert atmosphere. Then, the cryomilled composite powder was warm compacted into a bonded magnet. Further, the magnetic particles were aligned during post-compaction annealing under a magnetic field of 30 kOe. The recycled bonded magnets have a higher density (3% enhancement), but slightly inferior magnetic properties compared to the original magnets, i.e., the magnetic remanence, coercivity and maximum energy product are reduced by 2%, 3% and 8%, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy revealed that some HDDR Nd-Fe-B powder crumbled into fine particles during cryomilling. Powder X-ray diffraction showed a small amount of Nd-oxide impurity in the cryomilled powder. The slightly deteriorated magnetic properties are ascribed to the oxidation of Nd-Fe-B particles due to formation of fresh fracture surface during cryomilling. The approach enables the direct reuse of end-of-life bonded magnets in an economical and environmentally friendly way.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2020

Transfer and Flushing Evaluation for Potential Precipitated Solids in the 241-AP-106 to EMF Transfer Pipeline for DFLAW

Waste transfer pipeline flushing is necessary to maintain pipeline performance, but added flush fluid increases the nuclear waste inventory. During the Direct Feed Low-Activity Waste (DFLAW) mission, waste transfer lines from the Interim Low-Activity Waste Storage Tank (i.e., 241-AP-106) to the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) Low-Activity Waste (LAW) Facility must have the capability of being flushed to prevent accumulation of solids and to mitigate corrosion concerns. Operational experience at Hanford has shown that the solids precipitation occurs during processing operations from dilute Hanford liquids. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory was requested to evaluate the potential precipitated solid particle transport and flushing operational capabilities of the AP-106 through the Effluent Management Facility (EMF) low-point drain LAW feed pipeline. The evaluation results do not provide operational requirements, but rather provide a scoping basis for understanding the potential operational significance of solids precipitation in the pipeline. The salt and aluminum phase solids most likely to precipitate from the LAW feeds during cooling, evaporation, or mixing have particle densities that are estimated to range from 1.62 to 2.78 g/mL and a spherical particle size range of 8 to 2100 μm, depending on the solid phase considered. Application of the method to calculate the critical deposition velocity required by TFC-ENG-STD-26 at conservatively bounding estimates for the solids concentrations demonstrates that potentially precipitated solids may deposit on the bottom of the transfer pipe invert at the lower LAW feed pipeline flow rate, but the upper LAW feed pipeline flow rate will likely prevent deposition. The system pressure limit for the AP-106 through the EMF low-point drain LAW feed pipeline likely exceeds any pressure loss at a calculated critical deposition velocity even for the most adverse potential precipitated solid. However, should solids settle as a result of no-flow conditions, the flow capabilities of the AP-106 through the EMF low-point drain LAW feed pipeline are shown, based on the available literature, to be potentially inadequate for effective flushing operations to remove solids, even at solids concentrations below the maximum specified for LAW feed. Thus, stepwise solids accumulations over multiple transfers may be an issue, and eventual line plugging may occur. Further inadequacies may potentially be realized should the cohesive nature of certain precipitates be accounted for.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2024

Hanford Double Shell Waste Tank Corrosion Studies (Final Report FY2023)

For fiscal year (FY) 2023, the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) focused on two experimental tasks related to Hanford Double Shell Tank (DST) chemistry and integrity. The first task focused on understanding risk of corrosion due to formation of either continuous layers or discrete patches of solids on the tanks’ inner sidewalls and bottoms. Differences in the conductivity between various layers of the tank (e.g., solids, liquid, etc.) could result in differences in the electrochemical potential of the tank metal at various locations. The electrochemical potential difference may result in a corrosion current between the coupled surfaces. In FY23, SRNL investigated test configurations and protocols that could evaluate the presence of a galvanic couple between the tank bottom and the tank wall.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2023

Volatile Fatty Acid Recovery from Arrested Anaerobic Digestion for the Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel: A Review

The process of producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from organic waste involves the use of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) as intermediates that are obtained via arrested anaerobic digestion (AAD) and VFA recovery. This recovery process often requires several steps, including dewatering, filtration, extraction, and purification. The recovery of VFAs is crucial for their upgrading and can pose a challenge in the production of SAF from organic waste due to high costs and compatibility issues. This review discusses various dewatering methods, including centrifuges, belt filter presses, and screw presses, and explores conditioning technologies that can improve dewatering performance. It also introduces filtration technologies, with a focus on dynamic filtration, which shows promise in addressing the issue of membrane fouling. Additionally, the review describes extraction technologies such as electrodialysis, adsorption, and liquid–liquid extraction (LLE). By providing insights into these different techniques, the review aims to contribute to the development of an integrated VFA recovery process with low carbon footprint.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Catalytic Upgrading of Carbohydrates in Waste Streams to Hydrocarbons: Paper Sludge to Fuel Project (PStF)

This research, funded by the Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office (DOE BETO), aims to understand the barriers and assess opportunities for transforming carbohydrates in paper sludge, a solid lignocellulosic residue from the pulp and paper industry. The goal is to turn the paper sludge into a liquid hydrocarbon product that can be blended into jet fuel, both economically and sustainably. Research groups at North Carolina State University, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Yale University collaborated synergistically, leveraging their expertise in pulp and paper operations, biomass deconstruction, and catalytic upgrading to propose a pathway that efficiently captures the energy in paper sludge. Findings from this study could potentially contribute to advancing biomass conversion technologies, aligning with the efforts of the U.S. DOE BETO. This report documents the experimental and simulation results of a biochemical and catalytic pathway designed to transform paper sludge into a liquid hydrocarbon product. The process involves a sequence of seven steps, including ash removal, carbohydrate enzymatic hydrolysis, sugar dehydration, solvent recovery, aldol-condensation between furans and ketone, hydrogenation, and hydrodeoxygenation to obtain a hydrocarbon blend in the ~C10 range. The experimental efforts from the initiation of the project were guided by techno-economic analysis (TEA) and sensitivity analysis results including around seventy-eight operational parameters. This methodology facilitated the efficient use of resources over time. This study relies on detailed process simulations and TEA to determine the minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) for the hydrocarbon fuel product. Preliminary TEA results led to the evaluation of eight case studies considering alternative dehydration co-solvents, operational settings, and biorefinery layouts. Finally, the life cycle assessment of twenty-eight scenarios, comparing various dehydration co-solvents, fuel sources, chemical feedstock sources, side product utilization, and other process settings, was conducted. Landfilling scenarios with and without landfill gas recovery were also estimated, analyzed, and compared.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

DOE OSTI2020

Mineral Recovery Enhanced Desalination (MRED) process: An innovative technology for desalinating hard brackish water

Desalination of water containing high concentrations of calcium, dissolved carbon dioxide, sulfate, silica and other sparingly soluble salts is difficult because of the scaling potential. An innovative pre-treatment scheme was investigated at bench scale that selectively removes these constituents and produces a soft water to enable desalination with high feed water recovery. The process first removes dissolved carbon dioxide by air stripping at low pH. Magnesium is removed by precipitation at high pH. Calcium is removed by ion exchange (IX), and sulfate is removed by nanofiltration (NF). Cation regenerant from IX, containing calcium, and concentrate from NF, containing sulfate, is combined to precipitate gypsum. Concentrate from the desalination process consisting of a concentrated NaCl solution is used to regenerate the IX resins. The selective precipitation, IX, and NF processes were tested in laboratory experiments and produced magnesium hydroxide and gypsum at greater than 90% and 95% purity respectively. A process model was developed to calculate process performance, mass and liquid flow rates. Finally, the MRED process offers the following benefits: 1) greater recovery of brackish feedwater by a desalination process, 2) recovery of marketable commodities and 3) reduction in the volume and mass of waste products from the treatment process.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2024

Catalytic Deconstruction of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer and Polyethylene Mixtures via Hydroconversion: Challenges and Solutions

We explore hydrogenolysis over ruthenium supported on zirconia (Ru/ZrO 2 ) and hydrocracking over platinum (Pt) supported on zeolites as an effective end-of-life strategy for ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)–a widely used performance heat sealant in hard-to-recycle multilayer packaging. For Ru/ZrO 2 hydrogenolysis, EVA reacts slower than low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and the catalyst deactivates due to carbonaceous deposits originating from polyenes generated in situ during EVA thermal degradation. High H 2 pressures and temperatures can overcome catalyst deactivation; however, CH 4 yields are excessive due to cascade hydrogenolysis stemming from strong C=C/metal interactions. Polyene hydrogenation allows chains anchored by C=C to desorb from Ru, shifting product selectivity from CH 4 to higher-value liquids. Hydrogenolysis of mixed EVA and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), mirroring typical frozen food packaging formulations, results in comparable catalyst activity and CH 4 yield as the pure EVA resin. For Pt/zeolite hydrocracking, pure EVA and EVA:LLDPE mixtures are deconstructed to propane or light naphtha with minimal CH 4 production. Among catalysts tested, Pt/HY gives the highest liquid productivity (g C5+products /g cat ·h). Furthermore, these findings showcase the recalcitrant nature of EVA and its associated mixtures for Ru/ZrO 2 hydrogenolysis, highlighting that hydrocracking catalysts may be superior for complex packaging waste.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2022

Process intensification for generating and decomposing formic acid, a liquid hydrogen carrier

We preview two processes that facilitate using formic acid (HCOOH) as a liquid hydrogen carrier to store renewably-generated electrical energy and then release it to generate electrical power cleanly for backup or emergency applications. First, we show that simultaneously oxidizing an organic solute (typically a waste stream) can assist the electrochemical synthesis of formic acid by lowering the cell potential. The electrolyser comprises a hybrid 3-chamber PEM stack that reduces CO₂ via a gas-diffusion cathode boosted by the oxidation of aqueous methanol. However, the extent of the boosting needs to be optimized across the whole operation of the cell. Next, we present results from an intensified reactor for decomposing formic acid back into H₂ and CO₂ at elevated pressure so that the H₂ can be used in a fuel cell. The reactor combines three operations: Vaporization of the formic acid, its decomposition, and separation of the product stream. Their close coupling affords energy savings and a compact design that could be mounted on a mobile skid. We briefly discuss the electrode catalyst that facilitates the first process and two thermally activated catalysts (Ir supported on covalent triazine framework and Pd supported on carbon) that enable the second process.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

NASA NTRS2005

Development of a gravity-independent wastewater bioprocessor for advanced life support in space

Operation of aerobic biological reactors in space is controlled by a number of challenging constraints, mainly stemming from mass transfer limitations and phase separation. Immobilized-cell packed-bed bioreactors, specially designed to function in the absence of gravity, offer a viable solution for the treatment of gray water generated in space stations and spacecrafts. A novel gravity-independent wastewater biological processor, capable of carbon oxidation and nitrification of high-strength aqueous waste streams, is presented. The system, consisting of a fully saturated pressurized packed bed and a membrane oxygenation module attached to an external recirculation loop, operated continuously for over one year. The system attained high carbon oxidation efficiencies often exceeding 90% and ammonia oxidation reaching approximately 60%. The oxygen supply module relies on hydrophobic, nonporous, oxygen selective membranes, in a shell and tube configuration, for transferring oxygen to the packed bed, while keeping the gaseous and liquid phases separated. This reactor configuration and operating mode render the system gravity-independent and suitable for space applications.

NASA Discipline Life Support Systems↗

DOE OSTI2023

Continuous recovery of phosphoric acid and Rare-Earths containing particles from phosphoric acid sludge using a decanter centrifuge

Recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from various industrial and natural streams currently draws significant attention in efforts to meet the demands of the manufacturing industry. Among many industrial byproducts and waste streams, phosphoric acid sludge could be one of the most economically feasible resources for the recovery of REEs because solid particles in the sludge contain relatively concentrated REEs, up to 3,000 ppm, while the liquid component of the sludge is valuable phosphoric acid (P 2 O 5 ) that can be recovered and returned to the main product. Due to high viscosity and large solids content (e.g., 30–40 %), however, this byproduct stream requires multistep separation and purification processes. In this study, a single-step process involving a continuous-flow decanter centrifuge (CFDC) was employed to investigate its feasibility for continuous solid/liquid separation from real phosphoric acid sludge. High centrifugal forces generated from up to 1500 G gravity acceleration separate solid particles from the sludge, generating a liquid-rich stream and a solids-rich stream at the exit of the CFDC. A single pass of phosphoric-acid sludge through the CFDC yielded 95 % liquid recovery and 90 % recovery of REEs-containing solids from 20 to 34 wt% solids-containing sludge. Finally, a reduced order model developed for the CFDC operation showed good agreement with experimental data, and preliminary technoeconomic analysis revealed potential process feasibility.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NASA NTRS2004

NASA Tech Briefs, April 2004

Topics covered include: Analysis of SSEM Sensor Data Using BEAM; Hairlike Percutaneous Photochemical Sensors; Video Guidance Sensors Using Remotely Activated Targets; Simulating Remote Sensing Systems; EHW Approach to Temperature Compensation of Electronics; Polymorphic Electronic Circuits; Micro-Tubular Fuel Cells; Whispering-Gallery-Mode Tunable Narrow-Band-Pass Filter; PVM Wrapper; Simulation of Hyperspectral Images; Algorithm for Controlling a Centrifugal Compressor; Hybrid Inflatable Pressure Vessel; Double-Acting, Locking Carabiners; Position Sensor Integral with a Linear Actuator; Improved Electromagnetic Brake; Flow Straightener for a Rotating-Drum Liquid Separator; Sensory-Feedback Exoskeletal Arm Controller; Active Suppression of Instabilities in Engine Combustors; Fabrication of Robust, Flat, Thinned, UV-Imaging CCDs; Chemical Thinning Process for Fabricating UV-Imaging CCDs; Pseudoslit Spectrometer; Waste-Heat-Driven Cooling Using Complex Compound Sorbents; Improved Refractometer for Measuring Temperatures of Drops; Semiconductor Lasers Containing Quantum Wells in Junctions; Phytoplankton-Fluorescence-Lifetime Vertical Profiler; Hexagonal Pixels and Indexing Scheme for Binary Images; Finding Minimum-Power Broadcast Trees for Wireless Networks; and Automation of Design Engineering Processes.

Source record↗

DOE OSTI2024

Upcycling of polyethylene to gasoline through a self-supplied hydrogen strategy in a layered self-pillared zeolite

Conversion of plastic wastes to valuable carbon resources without using noble metal catalysts or external hydrogen remains a challenging task. Here we report a layered self-pillared zeolite that enables the conversion of polyethylene to gasoline with a remarkable selectivity of 99% and yields of >80% in 4 h at 240 °C. The liquid product is primarily composed of branched alkanes (selectivity of 72%), affording a high research octane number of 88.0 that is comparable to commercial gasoline (86.6). In situ inelastic neutron scattering, small-angle neutron scattering, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and isotope-labelling experiments reveal that the activation of polyethylene is promoted by the open framework tri-coordinated Al sites of the zeolite, followed by β-scission and isomerization on Brönsted acids sites, accompanied by hydride transfer over open framework tri-coordinated Al sites through a self-supplied hydrogen pathway to yield selectivity to branched alkanes. This study shows the potential of layered zeolite materials in enabling the upcycling of plastic wastes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2024

Planning for Material Control and Accountancy at Liquid Fueled Molten Salt Reactors

The purpose of this report is to provide molten salt reactor (MSR) developers and future US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license applicants with recommendations for developing an effective and practical material control and accounting (MC&A) plan, focused primarily on MSR designs that use circulating liquid fuel. Because of the breadth of MSR designs, there is no single, generic, detailed MC&A plan that will work for every design. The wide variation of fresh fuel salts, the method and frequency of loading fresh fuel, the reactor system design components (e.g., tanks, filtration systems, chemical processing streams), and waste streams will determine the specific measurement locations and instrumentation that can best meet MC&A objectives throughout an MSR facility. Additionally, MSR designs are rapidly evolving, and new design features and deployment scenarios that will affect MC&A are being explored and pursued. This report defines a generic MC&A approach that was developed for terrestrial (as opposed to maritime) deployments to meet the intent of NRC domestic safeguards and MC&A. MSR license applicants should consider nuclear safeguards (both domestic and international) and security throughout the design, as early as the preconceptual design phase. MC&A of special nuclear material (SNM) is an aspect of the NRC’s domestic safeguards program, alongside physical protection. Because liquid-fueled MSRs are reactors with SNM in nondiscrete (or item) form, it is likely that the NRC may require liquid-fueled MSR license applicants to submit a formal MC&A plan as a part of their license application. Currently, the NRC licensing protocol presents a challenge because the NRC MC&A regulations have not been updated to accommodate advanced reactors, including types of MSRs. Because no liquid-fueled MSR has been licensed for operation at the time of this report, no template or precedence for a successfully licensed MSR MC&A plan exists. However, the MSR license applicant can take advantage of the NRC’s published commitments to performance-based regulations. The authors recommend that the license applicant, or MSR designers, develop an MC&A plan throughout the design lifecycle and plan to submit a detailed MC&A program description, or MC&A plan, to the NRC as a part of a license application. No MC&A plan template or guidance exists that is specific to liquid-fueled MSRs. The authors recommend that license applicants discuss the topic of MC&A during preapplication engagement. Because of the uniqueness of MC&A for liquid fueled MSRs, the authors recommend that liquid fueled MSR developers engage with the NRC on the topic of MC&A in the early phases of its design development and follow up any time there are significant modifications in design plans that would affect MC&A. For example, topics like modifications in fuel handling processes, changes in uranium enrichment, or additional chemical processing streams added to the design could be discussed with the NRC specifically on the topic of MC&A.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

NASA NTRS1994

Chemical recycling of scrap composites

There are no well-developed technologies for recycling composite materials other than grinding to produce fillers. New approaches are needed to reclaim these valuable resources. Chemical or tertiary recycling, conversion of polymers into low molecular weight hydrocarbons for reuse as chemicals or fuels, is emerging as the most practical means for obtaining value from waste plastics and composites. Adherent Technologies is exploring a low-temperature catalytic process for recycling plastics and composites. Laboratory results show that all types of plastics, thermosets as well as thermoplastics, can be converted in high yields to valuable hydrocarbon products. This novel catalytic process runs at 200 C, conversion times are rapid, the process is closed and, thus, nonpolluting, and no highly toxic gas or liquid products have been observed so no negative environmental impact will result from its implementation. Tests on reclamation of composite materials show that epoxy, imide, and engineering thermoplastic matrices can be converted to low molecular weight hydrocarbons leaving behind the reinforcing fibers for reuse as composite reinforcements in secondary, lower-performance applications. Chemical recycling is also a means to dispose of sensitive or classified organic materials without incineration and provides a means to eliminate or reduce mixed hazardous wastes containing organic materials.

Allred, Ronald E.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Comparison of measurement techniques and sorption of radium-226 in low and high salinity aqueous samples

Human activities have the potential to redistribute radium (Ra) in the marine environment in a manner that may necessitate monitoring or management of subsequent human or environmental exposures. There is therefore a need to identify accurate and accessible techniques for Ra measurement in high salinity samples and to describe the distribution of Ra in estuarine and marine environments, but most efforts in these areas have focused on low salinity matrices. In addition, rapid and reliable measurements are crucial for time-sensitive samples such as short-lived isotopes or emergency situations. The objective of this study is to describe the limits of detection, cost, and relative ease for measurement of Ra in both low and high salinity aqueous samples via three analytical methods: liquid scintillation counting (LSC), high purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). To contextualize these measurements for real-world scenarios, the partitioning of 226 Ra to substrates relevant to the marine environment was also characterized. Although HPGe detection with solid phase extraction had the lowest limit of detection for low salinity samples (0.27 Bq L −1 ), poor 226 Ra recovery for high salinity samples and high materials costs make this method prohibitive for many users. Limits of detection for high salinity samples were lower for LSC (1.28 Bq L −1 ) than for ICP-MS without dilution (11.4 Bq L −1 ), but significant and unexpected degradation of the high salinity LSC standards was observed after six months. Furthermore, our preferred measurement method for high salinity Ra samples is ICP-MS with sample dilution as necessary to reduce matrix effects.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

DOE OSTI2022

Tank 49H solids disturbance analysis

Tank 49H serves as the feed tank for the Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF). Transfers into Tank 49H may disturb any solids that have settled to the bottom of the tank, resulting in feed that may exceed the insoluble solids content limit of 1,200 mg/L of the SWPF Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC). During a transfer into Tank 49H, material that free falls into Tank 49H through a downcomer could potentially disturb any solids on the bottom of the tank and scour or suspend solids from a settled solids layer or turbid region. A previous analysis and report evaluated the potential to disturb solids when transferring into Tank 49H through the B4 riser and recommended a minimum tank level of 120 inches to prevent disturbing any solids in the bottom of the tank. The scope of this task is to perform additional fluid flow analysis to determine whether accounting for disturbed particle settling and particle mixing and dispersion during transfer could allow the minimum liquid level to be reduced below 120 inches. The analysis utilized models from the technical literature to calculate the size and shape of the “plunging jet” as a function of input parameters such as initial velocity, initial jet diameter, elevation of the initial jet, liquid level in the tank, and solids depth. The analysis relied on the M-Star® simulations performed for the previous analysis to provide bounding estimates of the amount of solid particles disturbed and used the MStar® software to calculate the dispersion and mixing of the disturbed solids with other liquid in the tank as the solids are transported to the transfer pump. The analysis showed that with a solid particle size of 5 micron or less, a liquid level of 120 inches should be maintained to prevent significant disturbance of the solid layer at the bottom of Tank 49H.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗