ili-URANIUM FROM SEAWATER RESEARCH: FINAL PROGRESS REPORT, FY 1982 ABSTRACT During the FY '82 campaign 14 new ion exchange resin formulations, prepared by the Rohm & Haas Company, were tested by MIT atthe Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The best of these chelating resins was again of the acrylic amidoxime type; it picked up approximately 100 ppm uranium in seven days' exposure to seawater, which represents a factor of better than two improvement over thq seven-day results for the best FY '81 candidate (which saturated at roughly 100 ppm U after 30 days' exposure).Saturation was not reached and, within experimental accuracy, uranium accumulated at a constant rate over the seven-day period; it is speculated that a useful capacity of over 300 ppm U would be achieved.All resins of the styrenic amidoxime type were found to be an order of magnitude lower in their effective capacity for uranium in seawater than the best of the acrylic forms. Particle size effects, which were found to be less than expected from theoretical computations of both fluid and solid side mass transfer resistance, can not account for this difference. Scanning electron microscope examination by R & H scientists of ion exchange resin beads from beds subjected to seawater flow for 30 days in MIT's WHOI columns showed that the internal pores of the macro-retiCular-type resins become filled with debris (of undetermined nature and effect) during exposure.-iii-ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .This work was performed as part of the "Uranium-from-Seawater
In the microgravity environment experienced by space vehicles, liquid and gas do not naturally separate as on Earth. This behavior presents a problem for two-phase space systems, such as environment conditioning, waste water processing, and power systems. Furthermore, with recent renewed interest in space nuclear power systems, a microgravity Rankine cycle is attractive for thermal to electric energy conversion and would require a phase separation device. Responding to this need, researchers have conceived various methods of producing phase separation in low gravity environments. These separator types have included wicking, elbow, hydrophobic/hydrophilic, vortex, rotary fan separators, and combinations thereof. Each class of separator achieved acceptable performance for particular applications and most performed in some capacity for the space program. However, increased integration of multiphase systems requires a separator design adaptable to a variety of system operating conditions. To this end, researchers at Texas A&M University (TAMU) have developed a Microgravity Vortex Separator (MVS) capable of handling both a wide range of inlet conditions as well as changes in these conditions with a single, passive design. Currently, rotary separators are recognized as the most versatile microgravity separation technology. However, compared with passive designs, rotary separators suffer from higher power consumption, more complicated mechanical design, and higher maintenance requirements than passive separators. Furthermore, research completed over the past decade has shown the MVS more resistant to inlet flow variations and versatile in application. Most investigations were conducted as part of system integration experiments including, among others, propellant transfer, waste water processing, and fuel cell systems. Testing involved determination of hydrodynamic conditions relating to vortex stability, inlet quality effects, accumulation volume potential, and dynamic volume monitoring. In most cases, a 1.2 liter separator was found to accommodate system flow conditions. This size produced reliable phase separation for liquid flow rates from 1.8 to 9.8 liters per minute, for gas flow rates of 0.5 to 180 standard liters per minute, over the full range of quality, and with fluid inventory changes up to 0.35 liters. Moreover, an acoustic sensor, integrated into the wall of the separation chamber, allows liquid film thickness monitoring with an accuracy of 0.1 inches. Currently, application of the MVS is being extended to cabin air dehumidification and a Rankine power cycle system. Both of these projects will allow further development of the TAMU separator.
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