A review of contamination of metallic surfaces within aqueous nuclear waste streams

Barton, Daniel N.T.; Johnson, Thomas E.; Callow, Anne; Carey, Thomas; Bibby, Sarah E.; Watson, Simon J.; Engelberg, Dirk; Sharrad, Clint A.

doi:10.1016/j.pnucene.2023.104637

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Understanding of the binding mechanisms between the stainless steel surface and the dissolved species can provide a wealth of information. , Contamination mechanisms can dictate which decontamination approach may be most appropriate for efficient removal.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is now clear that the wide range of parameters influencing contamination (as detailed by Barton et al) act simultaneously to produce a unique stainless steel contamination profile, which may be difficult to predict. It has been found that, particularly in this low corrosion system, contamination is predominantly dependent on the initial concentration of species in solution and the number of binding sites available, which is then dependent on surface roughness. , …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Understanding of the binding mechanisms between the stainless steel surface and the dissolved species can provide a wealth of information. 20,21 Contamination mechanisms can dictate which decontamination approach may be most appropriate for efficient removal. As the effects of corrosion were observed to be minimal and solution analysis did not show any significant variations in behavior up to 100 days of exposure, contamination mechanisms were not expected to change over time after steady state was achieved.…”

Section: Long-term Corrosionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…9 Typically, immersion studies last no longer than 30 days, making predictions of long-term corrosion and contamination behavior challenging. 20 Here, AISI Type 304 stainless steel, similar to the grades employed in the MRP, has been exposed to a Magnox simulant solution for up to 420 days, with the steel surfaces being analyzed by a set of techniques that are available to the industry, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and laser ablation�ICPMS. Solutions were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma−optical emission spectroscopy (ICP−OES) to understand contaminant uptake variation over time, up to 100 days of exposure.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Development of a Multi-technique Characterization Portfolio for Stainless Steels Exposed to Magnox Reprocessing Liquors

Barton,

Denman,

Grebennikova

et al. 2023

ACS Omega

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AISI Type 304 stainless steel coupons have been exposed to a simulant aqueous environment representative of the Magnox Reprocessing Plant (MRP) at Sellafield, UK. The experiments were performed for extended time periods (up to 420 days) at elevated temperatures to develop a comprehensive understanding of the extent, nature, and depth of contamination for pipework and vessels in Magnox spent nuclear fuel reprocessing environments. This will inform upcoming decommissioning work which represents a major post-operational challenge. Previous relevant literature has focused on developing fundamental understanding of contamination mechanisms of stainless steels in simplistic, single-element systems, which lack elements of industrial relevance. Contamination behavior is expected to be drastically different in these more complex environments. A characterization portfolio has been developed to enable detailed assessment of corrosion and contamination behavior in acidic reprocessing environments. Solution, surface, and depth analysis determined that uptake was dominated by the elements present in highest concentrations within the environment, namely, Mg, Nd, and Cs. Most contaminants were incorporated into a relatively thin surface oxide layer (<100 nm) in metal oxide form, although there were some exceptions (Cs and Sr). Grain boundary etching was present despite very low corrosion rates (3 μm year −1 ). As a result of this lack of corrosion, diffusion of contaminants beyond the immediate surface (10− 20 nm) did not occur, evidenced through depth profiling. As a result of these findings, surface-based decontamination techniques minimizing excess secondary waste generation can be further developed in order to reduce the environmental and economic burden associated with decommissioning activities.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Long-term Corrosionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Development of a Multi-technique Characterization Portfolio for Stainless Steels Exposed to Magnox Reprocessing Liquors

Barton,

Denman,

Grebennikova

et al. 2023

ACS Omega

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“…Despite these advancements, nuclear power facilities typically have a limited lifespan, and the nuclear waste produced during their retirement phase poses an enduring environmental challenge, with the potential to remain hazardous for up to 200 000 years. 3 Reprocessing plants that handle spent nuclear fuel frequently employ the PUREX method to manage nuclear waste. 4 The PUREX process involves dissolving radioactive nuclear fuel in nitric acid and then separating uranium, plutonium and fission products by solvent extraction using tributyl phosphate (TBP) and organic diluents such as odorless kerosene (OK).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental investigation and thermomechanical performance evaluation of supercritical water oxidation of n‐dodecane/tributyl phosphate

Mi,

Wang,

Sun

et al. 2024

J of Chemical Tech & Biotech

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BACKGROUNDNuclear energy has brought immense benefits while also generating a large amount of wastewater that urgently needs to be processed. Supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) technology serves as an efficient method for wastewater treatment. In this study, a SCWO experiment was carried out with organic solvent of 30% tributyl phosphate (TBP) and 70% n‐dodecane. This study investigated the operating parameters and the effects of enhanced oxidation techniques on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency. An organic solvent SCWO process was developed, and its energy and exergy efficiencies were assessed using Aspen Plus.RESULTSThe COD removal was about 96.18% at the experimental parameters of 500 °C, 10 min, 25 MPa, oxidation coefficient of 1.5 and material concentration of 4 wt%. COD removal increased by 3.09% with the addition of CeO2. Finally, the overall energy and exergy efficiencies of the SCWO system were found to be 58.8% and 9.1% respectively by Aspen Plus.CONCLUSIONIt was found that the reaction temperature had the greatest effect on the COD removal rate compared with other reaction parameters. The decomposition of organic solvents can be divided into two stages, fast and slow, and the addition of alkali and catalyst can effectively promote the decomposition of waste organic solvents. The experiments showed that SCWO is feasible for the treatment of n‐dodecane/TBP. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

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(B4C+Al2O3)/Al composites with excellent high temperature strength and thermal stability prepared by sintering in air atmosphere

Shi,

Li,

Cai

et al. 2024

Ceramics International

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A review of contamination of metallic surfaces within aqueous nuclear waste streams

Cited by 7 publications

References 40 publications

Development of a Multi-technique Characterization Portfolio for Stainless Steels Exposed to Magnox Reprocessing Liquors

Development of a Multi-technique Characterization Portfolio for Stainless Steels Exposed to Magnox Reprocessing Liquors

Experimental investigation and thermomechanical performance evaluation of supercritical water oxidation of n‐dodecane/tributyl phosphate

(B4C+Al2O3)/Al composites with excellent high temperature strength and thermal stability prepared by sintering in air atmosphere

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