Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “WASTE PROCESSING”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 649 records · Page 36
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

Engineering Study for DWPF Bubblers, VSL-10R1770-1 (Final Report)

The objective of this work was to perform an engineering assessment of the impact of implementation of bubblers to improve mixing of the glass pool, and thereby increase throughput, in the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) on the melter and off-gas system. Most of the data used for this evaluation were from extensive melter tests performed on non-SRS feeds. This information was supplemented by more recent results on SRS HLW simulants that were tested on a melter system at VSL under contracts from ORP and SRR.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2024

Results of Long-Term Analyses of the Salt (Macro) Batch 11 Tank 21H Qualification Sample

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) analyzed samples from Tank 21H in support of qualification of Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) Salt Batch 11. This document reports the long-term results of the analyses of the sample of Tank 21H. Analysis of this sample indicates that the material does not display any unusual characteristics or observations, such as visually apparent solids. However, the sample was dark colored. This report satisfies Deliverable 3 of the Technical Task Request (TTR). This revision adds a further triplicate analysis for 129 I content.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2024

Investigation of Mercury Compound Partitioning Through the Solvent Extraction System

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) has been requested by Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC)/ Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) personnel to investigate the potential routes for titanium and mercury accumulations within the SWPF Flowsheet. This report documents work performed to examine how various forms of mercury can migrate through the multiple flowsheets of a solvent extraction system. This entailed 29 single stage distribution tests, a multi-stage Extraction-Scrub-Strip (ESS) test, and a detailed speciation analysis of several salt batch feed samples.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS2005

Effects of Bedrock Landsliding on Cosmogenically Determined Erosion Rates

The successful quantification of long-term erosion rates underpins our understanding of landscape. formation, the topographic evolution of mountain ranges, and the mass balance within active orogens. The measurement of in situ-produced cosmogenic radionuclides (CRNs) in fluvial and alluvial sediments is perhaps the method with the greatest ability to provide such long-term erosion rates. In active orogens, however, deep-seated bedrock landsliding is an important erosional process, the effect of which on CRN-derived erosion rates is largely unquantified. We present a numerical simulation of cosmogenic nuclide production and distribution in landslide-dominated catchments to address the effect of bedrock landsliding on cosmogenic erosion rates in actively eroding landscapes. Results of the simulation indicate that the temporal stability of erosion rates determined from CRN concentrations in sediment decreases with increased ratios of landsliding to sediment detachment rates within a given catchment area, and that larger catchment areas must be sampled with increased frequency of landsliding in order to accurately evaluate long-term erosion rates. In addition, results of this simulation suggest that sediment sampling for CRNs is the appropriate method for determining long-term erosion rates in regions dominated by mass-wasting processes, while bedrock surface sampling for CRNs is generally an ineffective means of determining long-term erosion rates. Response times of CRN concentrations to changes in erosion rate indicate that climatically driven cycles of erosion may be detected relatively quickly after such changes occur, but that complete equilibration of CRN concentrations to new erosional conditions may take tens of thousands of years. Simulation results of CRN erosion rates are compared with a new, rich dataset of CRN concentrations from the Nepalese Himalaya, supporting conclusions drawn from the simulation.

Niemi, Nathan↗
DOE OSTI2013

Analysis Of 2H-Evaporator Scale Pot Bottom Sample [HTF-13-11-28H]

Savannah River Remediation (SRR) is planning to remove a buildup of sodium aluminosilicate scale from the 2H-evaporator pot by loading and soaking the pot with heated 1.5 M nitric acid solution. Sampling and analysis of the scale material from the 2H evaporator has been performed so that the evaporator can be chemically cleaned beginning July of 2013. Historically, since the operation of the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF), silicon in the DWPF recycle stream combines with aluminum in the typical tank farm supernate to form sodium aluminosilicate scale mineral deposits in the 2H-evaporator pot and gravity drain line. The 2H-evaporator scale samples analyzed by Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) came from the bottom cone sections of the 2H-evaporator pot. The sample holder from the 2H-evaporator wall was virtually empty and was not included in the analysis.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS2000

System Design Techniques for Reducing the Power Requirements of Advanced life Support Systems

The high power requirement associated with overall operation of regenerative life support systems is a critical Z:p technological challenge. Optimization of individual processors alone will not be sufficient to produce an optimized system. System studies must be used in order to improve the overall efficiency of life support systems. Current research efforts at NASA Ames Research Center are aimed at developing approaches for reducing system power and energy usage in advanced life support systems. System energy integration and energy reuse techniques are being applied to advanced life support, in addition to advanced control methods for efficient distribution of power and thermal resources. An overview of current results of this work will be presented. The development of integrated system designs that reuse waste heat from sources such as crop lighting and solid waste processing systems will reduce overall power and cooling requirements. Using an energy integration technique known as Pinch analysis, system heat exchange designs are being developed that match hot and cold streams according to specific design principles. For various designs, the potential savings for power, heating and cooling are being identified and quantified. The use of state-of-the-art control methods for distribution of resources, such as system cooling water or electrical power, will also reduce overall power and cooling requirements. Control algorithms are being developed which dynamically adjust the use of system resources by the various subsystems and components in order to achieve an overall goal, such as smoothing of power usage and/or heat rejection profiles, while maintaining adequate reserves of food, water, oxygen, and other consumables, and preventing excessive build-up of waste materials. Reductions in the peak loading of the power and thermal systems will lead to lower overall requirements. Computer simulation models are being used to test various control system designs.

Finn, Cory↗
DOE OSTI2014

Assessment of the Cast Stone Low-Temperature Waste Form Technology Coupled with Technetium Removal - 14379

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) is engaging the national laboratories to provide the scientific and technological rigor to support EM program and project planning, technology development and deployment, project execution, and assessment of program outcomes. As an early demonstration of this new responsibility, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) were chartered to implement a science and technology program addressing low-temperature waste forms for immobilization of DOE aqueous waste streams, including technetium removal as an implementing technology. As a first step, the laboratories examined the technical risks and uncertainties associated with the Cast Stone waste immobilization and technetium removal projects at Hanford. Science and technology gaps were identified for work associated with 1) conducting performance assessments and risk assessments of waste form and disposal system performance, and 2) technetium chemistry in tank wastes and separation of technetium from waste processing streams. Technical approaches to address the science and technology gaps were identified and an initial sequencing priority was suggested. A subset of research was initiated in 2013 to begin addressing the most significant science and technology gaps. The purpose of this paper is to report progress made towards closing these gaps and provide notable highlights of results achieved to date.

Cast Stone Low-Temperature Waste Form Technology C↗
DOE OSTI2014

Hair mercury concentrations and associated factors in an electronic waste recycling area, Guiyu, China

Objective: Toxic heavy metals are released to the environment constantly from unregulated electronic waste (e-waste) recycling in Guiyu, China, and thus may contribute to the elevation of mercury (Hg) and other heavy metals levels in human hair. We aimed to investigate concentrations of mercury in hair from Guiyu and potential risk factors and compared them with those from a control area where no e-waste processing occurs. Methods: A total of 285 human hair samples were collected from three villages (including Beilin, Xianma, and Huamei) of Guiyu (n=205) and the control area, Jinping district of Shantou city (n=80). All the volunteers were administered a questionnaire regarding socio-demographic characteristics and other possible factors contributed to hair mercury concentration. Hair mercury concentration was analyzed by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Results: Our results suggested that hair mercury concentrations in volunteers of Guiyu (median, 0.99; range, 0.18–3.98 μg/g) were significantly higher than those of Jinping (median, 0.59; range, 0.12–1.63 μg/g). We also observed a higher over-limit ratio (>1 μg/g according to USEPA) in Guiyu than in Jinping (48.29% vs. 11.25%, P<0.001). Logistic regression model showed that the variables of living house also served as an e-waste workshop, work related to e-waste, family income, time of residence in Guiyu, the distance between home and waste incineration, and fish intake were associated with hair mercury concentration. After multiple stepwise regression analysis, in the Guiyu samples, hair mercury concentration was found positively associated with the time residence in Guiyu (β=0.299, P<0.001), and frequency of shellfish intake (β=0.184, P=0.016); and negatively associated with the distance between home and waste incineration (β=−0.190, P=0.015) and whether house also served as e-waste workshop (β=−0.278, P=0.001). Conclusions: This study investigated human mercury exposure and suggested elevated hair mercury concentrations in an e-waste recycling area, Guiyu, China. Living in Guiyu for a long time and work related to e-waste may primarily contribute to the high hair mercury concentrations. -- Highlights: • Mercury levels in hair samples from Guiyu and risk factors were assessed. • The recruitments from Guiyu were exposed to high levels of mercury. • Primitive e-waste recycling resulted in high mercury exposure of local people.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Solid-State Recrystallization Pathways of Sodium Aluminate Hydroxy Hydrates

Crystallization of Al-bearing solid phases from highly alkaline Na 2 O:Al 2 O 3 :H 2 O solutions commonly necessitates an Al 3+ coordination change from tetrahedral to octahedral, but intermediate coordination states are often difficult to isolate. Here, a similar Al 3+ coordination change process is examined during the solid-state recrystallization of sodium oxohydroxoaluminate hydrate (MSA) to nonasodium bis(hexahydroxy aluminate) trihydroxide hexahydrate (NSA) at ambient temperature. While the MSA structure contains solely polymerized tetrahedral Al 3+ , the NSA structure is a molecular aluminate salt solely based upon monomeric octahedral Al 3+ . Spontaneous recrystallization of MSA and excess sodium hydroxide hydrate into NSA over 3 days of reaction time was clearly evident in X-ray diffractograms and in Raman spectra. In situ 27 Al multiple quantum MAS NMR spectroscopy showed no evidence of intermediate aluminates, suggesting that intermediates, such as pentacoordinate Al 3+ , are short-lived and require more highly time resolved spectroscopies to detect. Such research is advancing upon detailed mechanistic understanding of Al 3+ coordination change mechanisms in these highly alkaline systems, with relevance to aluminum refining, corrosion sciences, and nuclear waste processing.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Evaluation of the Potential for Precipitation of Solids during Storage of Non-Aluminum SNF Solutions

Non-aluminum clad spent nuclear fuels (NASNF) stored in the L-Area basin will be dissolved in H-Canyon using the 6.3D electrolytic dissolver. The solutions will be stored in either the hot or warm canyon until the preparation of a sludge batch for the Defense Waste Processing Facility. Spent nuclear fuel solutions could be stored for 1-2 years before transfer to the H-Area Tank Farm depending on the interval between sludge batches. The solution level in the storage tanks will be maintained; therefore, precipitation of solids due to evaporation is not an issue. However, the precipitation of solids from completely dissolved SNF due to solution instabilities has been observed during intermediate storage of solutions generating hydrated oxides.The presence of fissile material in these solids is generally associated with zirconium molybdate, which is known to act as a host lattice for Pu and can carry the actinides upon precipitation. The formation of zirconium molybdate solids which carry fissile material is a potential concern for the storage of NASNF solutions. To address this concern, the Savannah River National Laboratory performed a literature review to identify knowledge gaps which may require experimental work to determine if the formation of solids is a concern during storage of these solutions. Based on the literature review, the precipitation of zirconium molybdate solids from the Campaign 1 NASNF solutions during intermediatestorage is expected. This conclusion is supported by the identification of zirconium molybdate solids found on the H-Canyon 6.1D Dissolver MK-12 insert spacer. The formation of the zirconium molybdate solids is attributed to hydrolysis and radiolytic processes in the nitric acid solution. As the molybdate solids form, U and Pu can substitute for Zr in the crystal lattice resulting in co-precipitation. Generally, the Pu substitutes directly into the crystal lattice during precipitation while the U associated with the molybdate solids more likely absorbs from the solution. The U in the NASNF solutions is present as uranyl nitrate, a 2+ cation which will not substitute as easily into the molybdate crystal lattice for the Zr 4+ ion.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2022

SRNL Sludge Batch 10 Qualification SRAT and SME Off-Gas Results

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) completed a small-scale demonstration of the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) Chemical Process Cell (CPC) utilizing the nitric-glycolic acid (NGA) flowsheet to support Sludge Batch 10 (SB10) qualification. The demonstration utilized a Tank 51 slurry sample washed by SRNL (with added H-canyon material). The purpose of this document is to report the observed off-gas results from the demonstration. With the NGA flowsheet, DWPF has a CPC hydrogen generation limit of 2.4×10 -2 lb/h. The peak observed rate was nearly 90 times less than that limit during SRNL testing.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2014

Analytical Plans Supporting the SWPF Gap Analysis Being Conducted with EnergySolutions and the Vitreous State Laboratory at the CUA

EnergySolutions (ES) and its partner, the Vitreous State Laboratory (VSL) of The Catholic University of America (CUA), are to provide engineering and technical services support to Savannah River Remediation, LLC (SRR) for ongoing operation of the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) flowsheet as well as for modifications to improve overall plant performance. SRR has requested that the glass formulation team of Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) and ES-VSL develop a technical basis that validates the current Product Composition Control System models for use during the processing of the coupled flowsheet or that leads to the refinements of or modifications to the models that are needed so that they may be used during the processing of the coupled flowsheet. SRNL has developed a matrix of test glasses that are to be batched and fabricated by ES-VSL as part of this effort. This document provides two analytical plans for use by ES-VSL: one plan is to guide the measurement of the chemical composition of the study glasses while the second is to guide the measurement of the durability of the study glasses based upon the results of testing by ASTM’s Product Consistency Test (PCT) Method A.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2017

Comparison of Exhibited Wear in Tefzel?, Kynar?, and UHMWPE Valve Seats Exposed to Cyclic Operations with Abrasive Slurry - 17519

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) conducted abrasive-wear testing of ball valves used for double valve isolation in nuclear waste process lines. The valve seat materials consisted of Kynar{sup R}, Tefzel{sup R}, and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Cycle testing was conducted for 1500 operating cycles for the Kynar{sup R} and Tefzel{sup R} valve seats and 5500 cycles for the UHMWPE valve seats. A valve operational cycle consisted of slurry flow, slurry gravity drain, flush water flow, and flush water gravity drain. Both two-way and three-way valves were evaluated, and valves were configured in simulated manifolds so the impact of serving various operational functions (e.g., slurry, flush, or drain control) could be evaluated as some valves are flushed prior to being cycled and others are not. Testing was conducted in PNNL's Multi-Phase Transport Evaluation Loop Facility using a performance-based simulant developed by PNNL specifically for this test program to emulate abrasive slurries for Hanford Tank Farms Waste Transfer System during single-shell tank retrieval and waste feed delivery to the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. Pre- and post-test valve tear-down evaluations were conducted to observe changes in the condition of internal components for the various seat materials. The various forms of physical wear observed for the different seat materials are presented. The wear results can be used to assess seat materials and valve configurations for application to waste transfer operations, and the observed wear mechanisms can provide insight into assessing valve service life. This information will be used to identify and select additional valve designs that should be evaluated for certification for future use. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2014

Modular Thermal Hub For Building Cooling, Heating and Water Heating

A thermally activated hub for modular, scalable, distributed cooling and heating in buildings, which uses working fluids with zero Global Warming Potential (GWP), and can run on thermal energy from combustion, low grade waste heat, or solar energy, was developed and demonstrated in this project. The concept capitalizes on several-fold enhancements in coupled heat and mass transfer possible in microscale passages to remove the primary hurdle that has hindered the implementation of thermally activated heat pumps for more than a century. Cooling capacities of hundreds of watts to tens of kilowatts are possible simply through scaling up of component geometry. In this project, the proof-of-concept 300 W capacity unit was successfully scaled up to 3.5 kW cooling capacity, and packaged into a compact system. These systems can be utilized for a variety of cooling, heating, and air-conditioning applications in residential and commercial buildings. Additional current and potential market opportunities include CCHP applications (military and private sector mobile power generation, and small residential and light commercial stationary power systems (engine, microturbine and fuel cell driven)), solar cooling applications, distributed process waste heat recovery applications, and long-haul transport refrigeration.

HVAC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Modular Thermal Hub For Building Cooling, Heating and Water Heating

A thermally activated hub for modular, scalable, distributed cooling and heating in buildings, which uses working fluids with zero Global Warming Potential (GWP), and can run on thermal energy from combustion, low-grade waste heat, or solar energy, was developed and demonstrated in this project. The concept capitalizes on several-fold enhancements in coupled heat and mass transfer possible in microscale passages to remove the primary hurdle that has hindered the implementation of thermally activated heat pumps for more than a century. Cooling capacities of hundreds of watts to tens of kilowatts are possible simply through scaling-up of component geometry. In this project, the proof-of-concept 300 W capacity unit was successfully scaled up to 3.5 kW cooling capacity, and packaged into a compact system. These systems can be utilized for a variety of cooling, heating, and air-conditioning applications in residential and commercial buildings. Additional current and potential market opportunities include CCHP applications (military and private sector mobile power generation, and small residential and light commercial stationary power systems (engine, microturbine and fuel cell driven)), solar cooling applications, distributed process waste heat recovery applications, and long-haul transport refrigeration.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2019

Analysis of the Sludge Batch 8 (Macrobatch 10) DWPF Pour Stream Glass Sample

To meet the objectives of the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) Glass Product Control Program, DWPF and Saltstone Facility Engineering (D&S-FE) requested that Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) analyze a radioactive glass pour stream (PS) sample collected during the processing of Sludge Batch 8 (SB8), also known as Macrobatch 10 (MB10). The analyses requested by D&S-FE (listed as tasks one through five in the Technical Task Request (TTR) included determination of the chemical and radionuclide composition, performance of the Product Consistency Test (PCT), and measurement of glass density and REDOX state. The tasks associated with accomplishing these analyses were controlled under a Task Technical and Quality Assurance Plan (TTQAP) and Analytical Study Plan. This report provides results from the requested analyses and satisfies deliverable number five of the TTR.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2023

M-Star ® Software Test and Verification

Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) currently manages the risk for retained hydrogen in the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) vessels by implementing a Retained Hydrogen Program. The current program relies on Sludge Batch (SB) 8 Gas Chromatograph data and on conservative assumptions concerning gas release and retention to determine allowable vessel Quiescent time (Q-time). The authors identified M-Star ® CFD as a software that could simulate processes such as fluid flow, heat transfer, species transport, chemical reactions, particle transport, and retained hydrogen gas release. Preliminary simulation results suggest that more realistic assumptions on gas retention and release may be feasible for the DWPF retained hydrogen program. Because of the desire to use the M-Star ® software to perform analyses that support nuclear safety, SRMC has requested Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) to upgrade the software classification level of M-Star ® CFD from level D to level A to perform analyses that support nuclear safety.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2021

Ion Chromatography (IC) Round Robin Analyses of Low Glycolate Concentrations in Recycle Collection Tank (RCT) Post Permanganate Treatment Simulant

This work is a demonstration of Ion Chromatography (IC) analysis of low concentrations of glycolate in chemical simulant designed to mimic the matrix in the Recycle Collection Tank (RCT) at the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) after sodium permanganate oxidation treatment. The IC method was previously developed [1] and this report covers the results of round robin testing with three analytical laboratories located at the Savannah River Site (SRS). The laboratories are termed the Sensing & Metrology (S&M) laboratory at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), the Processing Science Analytical Laboratory (PSAL) at SRNL, and the DWPF laboratory at SRS. Each laboratory received four samples: (1) 200 mL of 21.3 mg/L glycolate in RCT post permanganate strike sulfite quenched simulant, (2) 200 mL of 38.0 mg/L glycolate in RCT post permanganate strike sulfite quenched simulant, (3) 200 mL of 54.9 mg/L glycolate in RCT post permanganate strike sulfite quenched simulant, and (4) 600 mL of RCT post permanganate strike sulfite quenched simulant to use for matrix matched blanks.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗