ML19254B178
| ML19254B178 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 08/22/1979 |
| From: | Bell L NRC - TMI-2 OPERATIONS/SUPPORT TASK FORCE |
| To: | Jay Collins NRC - TMI-2 OPERATIONS/SUPPORT TASK FORCE |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7909240531 | |
| Download: ML19254B178 (6) | |
Text
9 M,9 C P D /R nacu Jg UNITED STATES s.,
i p,
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION y
):y WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
%..+ /
August 22, 1979 Docket No. 50-320 MEMORANDUM FOR: John T. Collirs, Deputy Director TMI-2 Support FROM:
Lawrence G. Bell, TMI-2 Support
SUBJECT:
TRIP REPORT - VISIT TO TIMONIUM, MARYLAND TO WITNESS TELEDYNE ENERGY SYSTEMS SOLIDIFICATION PROCESS On August 15, 1979, I went to Timonium, Maryland to. witness Teledyne Energy Systems solidification process. Teledyne Ener.gy Systems, Protective Package Division (formerly PPI) are currently using a Urea-Formaldehyde Concentrate (UFC) and a Catalyst Solution, to solidify waste. The demonstration was set up to show that UFC can be used to solidify common types of waste generated at power plants, i.e.,
resins and boric acid solutions.
To date nearly all of the Teledyne work has been done in the area of producing a product containing no free water. Their process depends on temperature and pH control. Proof of solidification is assured by monitoring the thermo profile over time. Work is continuing on their Process Control Program (PCP). To date their PCP has not been finalized.
There is still a great deal of work to be done on equip-ment that will deliver radwaste, UFC, and catalyst to the container (s)
(liners or 55-gallon drums). Following is a list of equipment questions to be answered.
1.
Provide improvement in the design of the static air mixing syster., especially for resins and sludges.
2.
Develop acceptable radiological methods for waste and product delivery to the container (s).
3.
Develop methods for routing off gases to the plants ventilation system for cleanup.
4.
Demonstrate a delivery system for resin transfers and in-container dewatering should dewatering be necessary.
In addition to the above questions, it will be important for Teledyne to define in some detail, in their revised topical report, their training program for utility personnel. It is Teledyne's intentions, to develop a product that would be free of water, and to sell this
~
product and the necessary back fits to utilities with existing UF systems.
.992 242
' noses of3p
J. T. Collins August 22, 1979 The Demonstratinns Attachments 1 and 2 describe the demonstrations that I witnessed.
Since these attachments explain in some detail the steps in the solidification processes I will only describe what I witnessed.
~~'
After the addition of waste, UFC, and ;atalyst into the 50 cubic foot liner, within a few minutes the aaterials began to harden.
Once hardened a layer of UFC and catalyst was '; hen added to prevent the formation of water on top of the product. Approximately two hours later the liner was removed. When opened there was no.
indication of free water on the bottom of ti.( liner, the side or the top.
However, the sealing layer of UFC and catalyst was easily removed. Under the one inch or so layer there was an unsolidified layer at the interface between the sealing layer and the solidified waste. It was possible to stick a screw driver into the material and chip away material. There was no water. As I mentioned above there are still design problems with the static mixer.
This was apparent when the resins were removed from the drum. When the drum was cut away there was a small amount of water and resins in the bottom of the drum.
It seemed that this was a direct result of poor mixing in the bottom of the drum. With the exception of the bottom the product did solidify into a relatively hard block.
Conclusion and Summary The test that I witnessed did produce a solidified mass. There was no free water on or in the material solidified in the 50 cubic foot liner. There was a small amount of water and resins in the bottom of the SS-gallon drum. This in all probability was due to the poor design of the air mixer. At this stage I would say that Teledyne personnel can solidify simulated radwaste using UFC, and product a material free of water. At this point, in my opinion, I am not sure that this product can be turned over to utility personnel and expect consistent results. Therefore,mit is my opinion that UFC is a step forward for system using Urea-Formaldehyde as a solidifying agent.
It 4till remains to be sehe whether or not this technology can be combined with a workable process control program, and acceptable system design and then turned over to operating personnel at utilities and used successfully.
j
)
1 TMI-2 Support Staff Attachments :
'As St'ated
~
cc: w/ attachments See next page hh2
J. T. Collins August 22, 1979 cc: w/ attachments H. Denton R. Vollmer J. Mariin R. Browning D. Smith R. Bangart R. Weller J. Lee 992 244
ATTACHMENT 1 DEMONSTRATION PROCEDURE 8-15-79 55 Gallon Drum Solidification I.
Initial Conditions A.
Simulated Radwaste - Dewatered Resin Beads Composition 7.5 inches of IR-120 (cationic) 7.5 inches of IR-400 (anionic)
Ambient temperature B.
Urea Catalyst Solution 50 parts water 50 parts prilled urea 15 parts ammonium sulfate 1 part water soluble additive C.
UFC Mixture 100 parts UFC 3 parts additive (dispersed)
D.
Physical arrangement 1.
Two tanks set up, each holding B and C above 2.
Liquids have been mixed and agitated.
3 Tanks are equipped with 2L3 Moyno pumps, manually controlled.
4.
55-gallon drum in pit, loaded with J4 above 5.
Connections suspended over drum for liquid injection.
II.
Procedure A.
Catalyst Solution 1.
Pump 9 gallons (about 5 inches of liquid) into drum, by time.
2.
Initiate air agitation and adjust air flow as necessary.
B.
UFC Mixture l.
Pump 9 gallons (about 5 inches of liquid) into drum, by time.
2.
Continue air agitation until mixture thickens.
Observe temperature exotherm.
3.
Shut off air and observe final solidification.
992 245
ITTACIDfENT 2 DEMONSTRATION PROCEDURE 8-15-79 50 Cubic Foot Liner Solidification I.
Initial Conditions A.
Simulated Radwaste - 175 Gallons 12% Boric Acid solution Adjusted to pH 7 with NaOH 120-125 F B.
Urea Catalyst Solution - 65 Gallons 50 parts water 50 parts prilled urea 15 parts ammonium sulfate 1 part water-soluble additiee C'
UFC Mixture - 65 Gallons 100 parts UFC 3 parts additive (dispersed)
D.'
Physical arrangement 1.
Three tanks set up, each holding one of A, B, C above.
2.
. Liquids have been mixed and agitated.
3.
Tanks are equipped with 2L3 Moyno pumps, manually controlled.
4..
50 cubic foot " breakaway" liner set up in truck pit, equipped with ring-type air sparger for agitation.
5.
Connectione suspended over liner for liquid injection.
II.
Procedure A.
Radwaste 1.
Pump 175 gallons of radwaste into liner.
Record final temperature by thermocouple immersed in liquid.
B.
Catalyst solution I~
1.
Start air agitator in liner and adjust air flow as necessary.
2.
Pump 65 gallons by time into liner, continuing agi'ta tion.
=
992 246
II.
Procedure (cont'd.)
C.
UFC solution 1.
Pump 65 gallons by time into liner, continuing agitation.
2.
When mixture thickens following completion of pumping, observe air flow and stop agitation.
3.
Af ter surf ace of billet has firmed, and temperature-~.
exotherm has peaked, activate pumps for Catalyst Solution.and UFC Mixture simultaneously for 15 seconds to apply " coating" mixture (about 5 gallons).
4.
Observe final solidification of " coating" mixture.
9 4
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O e
- W e y 6
b 992 247