A novel defoamer for processing nuclear waste: Testing and performance

Legacy radioactive waste from nuclear weapons material processing is the biggest environmental challenge in the state of South Carolina, and one of the biggest in the United States. Although substantial progress has been made in processing and vitrifying high-level radioactive waste at the Savannah River site, approximately 35 million gallons remains to be treated and dispositioned. In this article, we show the development of a new defoamer for use in the processing of high-level radioactive waste. The application of the new defoamer is not only more effective at controlling foam but will shorten the batch processing time leading to safer and more efficient processing. This has the potential to help shorten the overall site mission lifetime, saving the federal government hundreds of millions of dollars. The novel aspect of the new defoamer is its effectiveness and stability in the harsh conditions needed for processing high-level radioactive waste: high temperatures, pH 4-13, strong oxidizing and reducing agents, and numerous metal catalysts. The defoamer will replace an existing antifoam agent that decomposes to form multiple flammable gases. Because the existing antifoam agent decomposes quickly, processing changes increased processing time. Statement of novelty We demonstrate that a new defoamer has been developed for use in processing high-level radioactive waste. This novel defoamer is effective and stable in the harsh processing conditions with no detectable flammable by-products. Because the existing antifoam agent decomposes quickly, processing changes, including lowering acid addition rates and evaporation rates, increased processing time. The new defoamer is not only more effective at controlling foam but will shorten the batch processing time and lead to safer and more efficient processing by eliminating the production of flammable gases. Statement of industrial relevance Foaming is of great concern in many industrial processes involving three-phase gas/liquid/fine-solids systems, like in water evaporation, mineral floatation, air sparging in situ remediation techniques, and in those found in the paper industry.

Automated summary

Legacy radioactive waste in South Carolina poses a significant environmental challenge, with approximately 35 million gallons still needing treatment. A new defoamer has been developed to address this issue, providing a more efficient and safer processing method.