December 1, 2019
Journal Article

Effect of sucrose on foaming and melting behavior of a low-activity waste melter feed

Abstract

Reductants, such as sucrose, are added to nuclear waste melter feeds containing high fractions of nitrates and nitrites to reduce excessive foaming during feed-to-glass conversion and to decrease sulfate segregation and increase technetium retention. The sucrose effect on foaming and melting reactions during the conversion was examined using the feed volume expansion, thermogravimetric analysis, evolved gas analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Different sucrose additions were used to vary the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio in the melter feed. As C/N ratio increased, the extent of foaming decreased and N2/NO ratio increased in the gas phase evolved. Significant foam suppression, rapid gas release at approximately 250°C, and reduction of transition metal oxides were observed at C/N > 1.1.

Revised: October 23, 2019 | Published: December 1, 2019

Citation

Appel C.J., J. Klouzek, J. Klouzek, N. Jani, S. Lee, D.R. Dixon, and P.R. Hrma, et al. 2019. Effect of sucrose on foaming and melting behavior of a low-activity waste melter feed. Journal of the American Ceramic Society 102, no. 12:10.1111/jace.16675. PNNL-SA-143422. doi:10.1111/jace.16675

Research topics