Strategy to develop and test a multi-function scarifier end effector with an integral conveyance system for waste tank remediation. Strategy plan

Bamberger, Judith Ann; Bates, John M.; Keska, J.K.; Elmore, M.R.; Lombardo, N.J.

doi:10.2172/10181268

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…For solidified wastes, a scarifier was developed and tested (Bamberger and Steele 1993;Bamberger et al 1993aHatchell et al 1995). …”

Section: Sludge Mobilization Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Cohesive Particle Interactions on Solids Uniformity and Mobilization During Jet Mixing: Testing Recommendations

Gauglitz¹,

Wells²,

Bamberger³

et al. 2010

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Executive SummaryRadioactive waste that is currently stored in large underground tanks at the Hanford Site will be staged in selected double-shell tanks (DSTs) and then transferred to the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP). Before being transferred, the waste will be mixed, sampled, and characterized to determine if the waste composition meets the waste feed specifications. Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) is conducting a Tank Mixing and Sampling Demonstration Program to determine the mixing effectiveness of the current baseline mixing system that uses two jet mixer pumps to mobilize and mix waste in DSTs and to determine the adequacy of the planned sampling method. The overall purpose of the demonstration program is to mitigate the technical risk associated with the mixing and sampling systems meeting the feed certification requirements for transferring waste to the WTP.A critical aspect of meeting the feed certification requirements is ensuring that the collected samples will adequately represent the contents of the tank and that all batches of transferred waste are sufficiently uniform so that they all are equivalent to the characterized samples. However, the tank waste contains slurries of solid particles that settle and may become progressively more concentrated towards the bottom of the tank. Obtaining a perfectly uniform distribution of waste in the DSTs with a mixing system may not be possible. To determine how close this ideal can be approached, the expected performance of the DST mixing and sampling systems must be quantified. There have been a number of laboratory studies and full-scale tank farm studies that evaluated mixing behavior; these studies are discussed later in this report. However, these studies do not provide adequate quantitative information to evaluate the performance of the planned sampling and the batch uniformity. Accordingly, WRPS' demonstration program is focusing specifically on quantifying the uniformity of samples and batch transferred material to reduce the technical risk associated with these systems.The first phase of the demonstration program is to conduct scaled tests that appropriately match fullscale behavior and to evaluate sampling methodologies and the uniformity of batch transfers. The initial scaled testing will use non-cohesive particles where the particles do not have cohesive interactions that would cause the particles to stick together. The purpose of this report is to analyze existing data and evaluate whether scaled mixing tests with cohesive simulants are needed to meet the overall objectives of the small-scale mixing demonstration program. This evaluation will focus on estimating the role of cohesive particle interactions on various physical phenomena that occur in parts of the mixing process. A specific focus of the evaluation will be on the uniformity of suspended solids in the mixed region.The evaluation shows that cohesive particle interaction will have multiple effects through a number of different mechanisms. Some of the effects ...

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“…For solidified wastes, a scarifier was developed and tested (Bamberger and Steele 1993;Bamberger et al 1993aHatchell et al 1995). …”

Section: Sludge Mobilization Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Cohesive Particle Interactions on Solids Uniformity and Mobilization During Jet Mixing: Testing Recommendations

Gauglitz¹,

Wells²,

Bamberger³

et al. 2010

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“…The pressure drop versus flow characteristics of pneumatic-conveyance systems are affected by the properties of the conveyed media as well as the system design. With respect to waste conveyance-system performance, the most important waste properties are expected to be particle size, particle density, and particle shape (Bamberger et al 1993). These three properties determine the effective particle-settling velocity.…”

Section: Steady Operating Capabilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retrieval process development and enhancements project Fiscal year 1995: Simulant development technology task progress report

Golcar¹,

Bontha²,

Darab³

1997

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SummaryThe mission of the Retrieval Process Development and Enhancements (RPD&E) project is to develop an understanding of retrieval processes, including emerging and existing technologies, gather data on these technologies, and relate the data to specific tank problems such that end-users have the requisite technical bases to make retrieval and closure decisions. The development of waste simulants is an integral part of this effort. The work of the RPD&E simulant-development task is described in this document. The key FY95 accomplishments of the RPD&E simulant-development task are summarized below. Development of Saltcake Simulants of Various Porous MediaA number of properties were examined to provide information regarding the correlation between mechanical strength and material structure of the baseline saltcake simulants. This investigation was conducted to obtain a better understanding of the large-scale production of saltcake simulant. The FY95 results of this work are shown in Table S. 1.In general, potassium magnesium sulfate (simulated saltcake) forms a cement-like material via a hydration reaction. Addition of different amounts of water (1 0 wt% to 30 wt%) changes not only the , quantity of reacted starting material but also the material-packing density, which directly affects the pore diameter. The conclusions from this study are as follows: -Water content controls the quantity of salt reacted in hydration reactions but not the degree of hydration reaction. These results have been confirmed by x-ray diffraction study and thermal analysis. 'Compressive strength of the saltcake simulant varies with water content due to the effect of water content on simulant porosity. During the formation of simulated saltcake, partial dissolution of the starting material affects the particle size and shape, which results in significant changes in porosity, pore diameter, and mechanical strength.Beyond a water content of about 14 to 16 wt?!, even though the total reacted water content is not changing according to the thermal analysis, the compressive strength decreases because the porosity gradually increases while the pore size remains relatively unchanged. Progress in GAAT-TS Sludge Simulant Development for RPD&E TestingA preliminary qualitative assessment of the physical properties of GAAT tank sludge was made based on the videotaped extrusion and testing of samples W07H302 through W07H304 from tank W-7. Two qualitatively different types of sludge were visible in these samples. In the lower regions of the tank, apparently there was a brown, cohesive sludge. Above the brown sludge was a yellow/orange sludge layer with noticeably different physical properties. Relevant physical and rheological data are not currently available for these wastes; thus, simulated ORNL wastes cannot be developed based on quantitative waste property data. Rheological measurements are needed to help develop simulants to support the development of mining path and end-effector orientation strategies. Also, operational A range of sludge simulants...

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“…A strategy (Bamberger et al 1993) was developed to guide an analytical/experimental approach to develop a multi-function scarifier dislodger coupled with a pneumatic conveyance system. Based on the strategy, a testing program has been initiated to characterize aspects of waste dislodging and conveyance processes, evaluate process equipment performance, and address integration issues associated with deploying the scarifier by a robotic arm.…”

Section: 1mentioning

confidence: 99%

Retrieval process development and enhancements: Hydraulic test bed integrated testing. Fiscal year 1995 technology development summary report

Hatchell¹,

Smalley²,

Tucker³

1996

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and Technology to investigate existing and emerging retrieval processes suitable for the retrieval of high-level radioactive waste inside underground storage tanks. This program, represented by industry, national laboratories, and academia, seeks to understand retrieval processes, including emerging and existing technologies, gather data on these technologies, and relate the data to specific tank problems such that end-users have requisite technical bases to make retrieval. Part of this program has involved the development of the Hydraulics Test Bed (HTB) to evaluate a high-pressure waterjet dislodging system and pneumatic conveyance integrated as a scarifier. In fiscal year (FY) 1994 and FY95, the HTB was completed through a cooperative effort involving the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Tanks Focus Area, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Westinghouse Hanford Company (WHC), and Quest Integrated, Inc. The HTB provides a facility for testing of waste dislodging and conveyance processes at scales which support engineering development and gathering of process performance data necessary for program decisions about deployment of that process to be made. Although the Hydraulic Test Bed was originally used to test the high-pressure scarifier, the HTB addresses technology needs that drive retrieval requirements at multiple DOE sites, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Savannah River National Laboratory, and Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL). There is a strong need to validate the mining strategy used to remove waste fields; to measure the dynamic reaction forces, accuracy, repeatability, and maneuverability requirements of end effectors; and to define the requirements for instrumentation and automatic control. There is also a need to evaluate waste retrieval tool performance over various waste types and topography. The Hydraulic Test Bed addresses these needs by providing longer duration, multiple pass tests on large waste simulant fields using a three-dimensional deployment platform. The mission of the HTB is not to develop new technologies, but to support DOE Environmental Management programs, industry, and academia by providing key testing capabilities to allow full-scale cold testing of waste retrieval tools. The HTB will allow DOE retrieval programs to evaluate alternative established and emerging retrieval processes in a standardized, cost-effective, and timely manner.At the beginning of FY95, the HTB Test Plan was finalized and the procurement of instrumentation was completed. A data acquisition and controls program was written to take data from the sensors and to control various components in the system. The completion of the data acquisition system lead to initial system check-out tests, hardpan testing, sludge testing, and topography waste testing. During late FY95, the construction activities were completed for the HTB and the testing program was initiated through feature testing of the Quest high-pressure scarifier using both sludge and saltcake simulants.Although not the focus...

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Strategy to develop and test a multi-function scarifier end effector with an integral conveyance system for waste tank remediation. Strategy plan

Cited by 4 publications

References 3 publications

The Role of Cohesive Particle Interactions on Solids Uniformity and Mobilization During Jet Mixing: Testing Recommendations

The Role of Cohesive Particle Interactions on Solids Uniformity and Mobilization During Jet Mixing: Testing Recommendations

Retrieval process development and enhancements project Fiscal year 1995: Simulant development technology task progress report

Retrieval process development and enhancements: Hydraulic test bed integrated testing. Fiscal year 1995 technology development summary report

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