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At least 37 records · Page 2

FY2020 Rotating Bed Reactor for Iodine Removal from WTP Melter Effluent to Support DFLAW Start-Up

In Performance Assessment (PA) of the Hanford Integrated Disposal Facility (IDF), 129 I is a significant contributor to the risk. The 2017 IDF PA accounted for 0.22% of the total 129 I inventory in Hanford tank waste as residing in the solidified liquid waste from the Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF). However, recent estimates suggest that higher percentages of the iodine processed at the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) may be present in the liquid waste routed to the Liquid Effluent Retention Facility (LERF) for eventual treatment at the ETF. In addition, a recent integrated melter test performed at the Vitreous State Laboratory (VSL) at The Catholic University of America (CUA) showed the possibility that a significant fraction (>50%) of the total iodine in the melter feed could be present in the aqueous waste stream destined for the ETF. This stream represents a combination of the Effluent Management Facility (EMF) evaporator overhead condensate and the liquid waste from the WTP off-gas caustic scrubber. Higher levels of 129 I in this stream could affect the LERF and ETF Hazard Categorizations as well as the acceptability of the solidified ETF liquid secondary waste brine for disposal at the IDF. Accordingly, there is a need to investigate and develop potential methods and processes to mitigate this risk. Washington River Protection Solutions, LLC (WRPS) tasked Atkins and VSL to perform development and testing work to evaluate potential methods for removal of iodine species from the waste stream routed to the LERF. In particular, the testing investigated the use of an Atkins-SpinIonic™ Rotating Bed Reactor (RBR) system as a potential alternative to conventional column-based ion exchange or absorption processes. The present report provides results obtained from testing with an RBR system for the removal of iodine from simulants of the projected WTP waste stream that discharges to the LERF.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Effluent monitoring of the December 10, 1974, Titan 3-E launch at Air Force Eastern Test Range, Florida

Surface and airborne field measurements of the cloud behavior and effluent dispersion from a solid rocket motor launch vehicle are presented. The measurements were obtained as part of a continuing launch vehicle effluent monitoring program to obtain experimental field measurements in order to evaluate a model used to predict launch vehicle environmental impact. Results show that the model tends to overpredict effluent levels.

Wornom, D. E.↗

Launch vehicle effluent measurements during the May 12, 1977, Titan 3 launch at Air Force Eastern Test Range

Airborne effluent measurements and cloud physical behavior for the May 21, 1977, Titan 3 launch from the Air Force Eastern Test Range, Fla. are presented. The monitoring program included airborne effluent measurements in situ in the launch cloud, visible and infrared photography of cloud growth and physical behavior, and limited surface collection of rain samples. Airborne effluent measurements included concentrations of HCl, NO, NOx, and aerosols as a function of time in the exhaust cloud. For the first time in situ particulate mass concentration and aerosol number density were measured as a function of time and size in the size range of 0.05 to 25 micro meters diameter. Measurement results were similar to those of earlier launch monitorings. Maximum HCl and NOx concentrations ranged from 10 ppm and 500 ppb, respectively, several minutes after launch to about 1 ppm and 100 ppb at 45 minutes after launch.

Gregory, G. L.↗

Launch vehicle effluent measurements during the August 20, 1977, Titan 3 launch at Air Force Eastern Test Range

Airborne effluent measurements within the launch cloud and visible and infrared measurements of cloud physical behavior are discussed. Airborne effluent measurements include concentrations of HCl, Cl2, NO, NOX, and particulates as a function of time during each sampling pass through the exhaust cloud. The particle size distribution was measured for each pass through the cloud. Mass concentration as a function of particle diameter was measured over the size range of 0.05- to 25 micron diameter, and particle number density was measured as a function of diameter over a size range of 0.5 to 7.5 micron. Effluent concentrations in the cloud ranged from about 30 ppm several minutes after launch to about 1 to 2 ppm at 100 minutes. Maximum Cl2 concentrations were about 40 to 55 ppb and by 20 minutes were less than 1.0 ppb. A tabulated listing of the airborne data is given in the appendix. Usable cloud imaging data were limited to the first 16 minutes after launch.

Woods, D. C.↗

High temperature electrolytic recovery of oxygen from gaseous effluents from the carbo-chlorination of lunar anorthite and the hydrogenation of ilmenite: A theoretical study

A thermodynamic analysis discusses the compositions of gaseous effluents from the reaction of carbon and chlorine and of hydrogen with lunar anorthite and ilmenite, respectively. The computations consider the effects of the indigenous volatiles on the solid/gas reactions and on the composition of the effluent gases. A theoretical parameterization of the high temperature electrolysis of such gases is given for several types of solid ceramic electrolytes, and the effect of oxygen removal on the effluents is computed. Potential chemical interactions between the gases and the ceramic electrolytes are analyzed and discussed.

Erstfield, T. E.↗

Launch vehicle effluent measurements during the September 5, 1977, Titan 3 launch at Air Force eastern test range

Airborne effluent measurements and cloud physical behavior data are presented. The monitoring program included airborne effluent measurements in situ in the launch cloud, visible and infrared photography of cloud growth and physical behavior, and limited surface collection of rain samples. Effluent measurements included concentrations of HCl, Cl2, NO, nitric oxide, and particles as a function of time in the exhaust cloud. In situ particle mass concentration and number density were measured as a function of time and size in the range of 0.05 micron m to 30 micron m diameter. Measurement results were similar to those of previous launch monitorings. Maximum HCl and nitric oxide concentrations of Cl2 were maximum about 2 minutes after launch and by 10 to 15 minutes had decayed to less than 10 ppb (detection limit). Particle measurements showed most of the particles present to be below about 3-micron m diameter. Postlaunch analyses of collected particle samples showed significant amounts of Al (some cases Cl) from about 3-micron m to 0.04-micron m diameter.

Wornom, D. E.↗

Rapid, single-step most-probable-number method for enumerating fecal coliforms in effluents from sewage treatment plants

A single-step most-probable-number method for determining the number of fecal coliform bacteria present in sewage treatment plant effluents is discussed. A single growth medium based on that of Reasoner et al. (1976) and consisting of 5.0 gr. proteose peptone, 3.0 gr. yeast extract, 10.0 gr. lactose, 7.5 gr. NaCl, 0.2 gr. sodium lauryl sulfate, and 0.1 gr. sodium desoxycholate per liter is used. The pH is adjusted to 6.5, and samples are incubated at 44.5 deg C. Bacterial growth is detected either by measuring the increase with time in the electrical impedance ratio between the innoculated sample vial and an uninnoculated reference vial or by visual examination for turbidity. Results obtained by the single-step method for chlorinated and unchlorinated effluent samples are in excellent agreement with those obtained by the standard method. It is suggested that in automated treatment plants impedance ratio data could be automatically matched by computer programs with the appropriate dilution factors and most probable number tables already in the computer memory, with the corresponding result displayed as fecal coliforms per 100 ml of effluent.

Munoz, E. F.↗

Metabolic response of environmentally isolated microorganisms to industrial effluents: Use of a newly described cell culture assay

An environmental application using a microtiter culture assay to measure the metabolic sensitivity of microorganisms to petrochemical effluents will be tested. The Biomedical Operations and Research Branch at NASA JSC has recently developed a rapid and nondestructive method to measure cell growth and metabolism. Using a colorimetric procedure the uniquely modified assay allows the metabolic kinetics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells to be measured. Use of such an assay if adapted for the routine monitoring of waste products, process effluents, and environmentally hazardous substances may prove to be invaluable to the industrial community. The microtiter method as described will be tested using microorganisms isolated from the Galveston Bay aquatic habitat. The microbial isolates will be identified prior to testing using the automated systems available at JSC. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cadmium, and lead will provide control toxic chemicals. The toxicity of industrial effluent from two industrial sites will be tested. An effort will be made to test the efficacy of this assay for measuring toxicity in a mixed culture community.

Ferebee, Robert N.↗

White Paper to Justify the Use of Strip Effluent in the Defense Waste Processing Facility During Slurry Mix Evaporator Processing

At the request of Savannah River Remediation (SRR), a white paper was written to assess whether it would be acceptable to process Strip Effluent (SE) in both the Sludge Receipt and Adjustment Tank (SRAT) and Slurry Mix Evaporator (SME) in the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) for the nitric-glycolic acid flowsheet. Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) experimental data and DWPF Sludge Batch 9 (SB9) process data was reviewed, looking at batches which included Precipitate Reactor Feed Tank (PRFT) and/or Strip Effluent Feed Tank (SEFT) feeds that led to long processing times. These batches were reviewed looking for processing problems such as melter feed trips, foamovers, heating rod or steam coil fouling, missed Reduction/Oxidation (REDOX) targets, and other process anomalies.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

2D photofragmentation LIF imaging of H 2 O 2 and HO 2 in the effluent of an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet: effects of solid and liquid interfaces

Two-dimensional (2D) absolute measurements of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and approximations of the hydroperoxyl radical (HO 2 ) in the effluent of a COST Reference Microplasma Jet operated with a He/H 2 O feed gas are presented. Gas-phase densities are mapped using photofragmentation laser-induced fluorescence (PF-LIF) under three boundary conditions: open effluent, a solid target, and a liquid target. A novel method is presented for separating PF-LIF signals from H 2 O 2 and HO 2 using comparative measurements in oxygen-rich and oxygen-free environments to exploit the preferential formation of HO 2 in the presence of molecular oxygen. This separation strategy is supported by results from a plug-flow plasma chemistry model. Measured densities agree closely with model predictions in both magnitude and trend, while the 2D experimental distributions provide additional insight into the spatial dependencies of these species. In particular, the results show distinct differences in species transport depending on the target type: solid surfaces induce lateral deflection and reduced centerline densities, whereas liquid interfaces promote axial accumulation and higher near-axis concentrations.

atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (APPJ)↗

Particulate Effluent Characterization (Final Report)

Understanding particulate emissions from nuclear facilities could help differentiate between normal nuclear operations and potential nuclear accidents or nuclear weapons tests. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is unique in that there are several types of nuclear facilities on site: an operating production reactor, radiochemical separation facilities, and a spallation neutron source. This project deployed a high-volume particulate air filter sampler to collect airborne particulate effluent from the nuclear facilities on site at ORNL. Collections occurred regularly from November 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, and were analyzed via gamma spectroscopy in the laboratory. The radioisotope iodine-123 ( 123 I) was detected in several samples throughout the collection period. Detailed atmospheric transport modeling was performed on all detections for source attribution, and the most likely source of the 123 I was determined to be the Spallation Neutron Source. The project demonstrated the viability of ORNL as a test bed for effluent monitoring studies.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Comparison of Geochemical Reactivity of Marcellus and Caney Shale Based on Effluent Analysis

ABSTRACT: In this comparative study, we analyzed the changes in elemental concentrations of hydraulic fracturing fluids after interaction with the Marcellus and Caney Shale formations. The focus was on assessing the inherent risks and environmental implications associated with flowback waters, including their impact on soil, ground, and drinking water quality, and human health safety. The chemical compositions of effluents were determined through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The Marcellus Shale, showed concentrations of Cd, averaging 0.380 ppm far exceeding safe water thresholds. Significant levels of As, Se, B, and Pb were detected in both shales, raising concerns about soil and water contamination. Analyzing the effluents from representative samples of sections of the Marcellus (S2 and S7) and Caney (R1 and R2) indicates different geochemical responses over 4 weeks of experiments. This comparison underscores the chemical changes and environmental considerations linked to hydraulic fracturing across shale formations, suggesting the value of tailored monitoring and regulatory measures for each type. 1. INTRODUCTION The Caney and Marcellus shales, differing in geology and geochemistry, represent distinct unconventional reservoirs. The Caney shale, is more ductile, with higher produced water volumes, (Smith et al., 2022) contrasts with the brittle Marcellus shale known for lower brine production but significant data availability. This study aims to elucidate the possible environmental health and safety issues that may arise from the hydraulic fracturing processes. The interaction between fracturing fluids and clays presents a significant challenge. The primary base of these fluids is water, which, when introduced to clay, can induce swelling and constrict flow pathways. This phenomenon is attributed to water molecules infiltrating the layers of clay, particularly in 2:1-type clays, leading to an increased distance between layers. To counteract this, clay stabilizers are employed (Awejori et al., 2021). Despite their effectiveness, these stabilizers are considered temporary solutions. Upon completion of the fracturing process, a concomitant amount of contaminated waters (flow back), with varied content is collected at the surface. From these, we can infer the geochemical reactions and the environmental challenges associated with these waters. Flowback waters can be reinjected or used for other purposes such as irrigation. This requires adequate screening and treatment for safe use.

Dje, L. B.↗

Transonic divider for gas chromatograph effluents

Transonic effluent divider system was developed which permits varying mass input of gas chromatographic effluent into mass spectrometer without affecting performance of gas chromatograph. Mechanisms of operation are described.

Wellman, J. B.↗

Flow properties of submerged heated effluents in a waterway.

An experimental and theoretical investigation has been undertaken to study the trajectory and growth of thermal effluents having a range of discharge velocities and temperatures. The discharge of an effluent into a waterway was mathematically modeled as a submerged jet injection process by using an integral method which accounts for natural fluid mechanisms such as turbulence, entrainment, buoyancy, and heat transfer. The effects of these mechanisms on the jet properties are examined along with the effects of nonuniformity in the free-stream velocity and temperature fields. The results are supported by experimental data and demonstrate the usefulness of the theory for estimating the location, size, and temperature of the thermal plume.

Campbell, J. F.↗

An analytical analysis of the dispersion predictions for effluents from the Saturn 5 and Scout-Algol 3 rocket exhausts

Predictions of the spatial concentration mapping of the potentially toxic constituents of the exhaust effluents from a launch of a Saturn 5 and of a Scout-Algol 3 vehicle utilizing the NASA/MSFC Multilayer Diffusion Program are provided. In the case of the Saturn 5, special attention was given to the concentration fields of carbon monoxide with a correlation of carbon dioxide concentrations. The Scout-Algol 3 provided an example of the centerline concentrations of hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, and alumina under typical meteorological conditions. While these results define the specific environmental impact of these two launches under the meteorological conditions existing during launches, they also provide a basis for the empirical monitoring of the constituents of the exhaust effluents of these vehicles.

Stephens, J. B.↗

Effluent sampling of Scout D and Delta launch vehicle exhausts

Characterization of engine-exhaust effluents (hydrogen chloride, aluminum oxide, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide) has been attempted by conducting field experiments monitoring the exhaust cloud from a Scout-Algol III vehicle launch and a Delta-Thor vehicle launch. The exhaust cloud particulate size number distribution (total number of particles as a function of particle diameter), mass loading, morphology, and elemental composition have been determined within limitations. The gaseous species in the exhaust cloud have been identified. In addition to the ground-based measurements, instrumented aircraft flights through the low-altitude, stabilized-exhaust cloud provided measurements which identified CO and HCI gases and Al2O3 particles. Measurements of the initial exhaust cloud during formation and downwind at several distances have established sampling techniques which will be used for experimental verification of model predictions of effluent dispersion and fallout from exhaust clouds.

Hulten, W. C.↗

Diffusion algorithms and data reduction routine for onsite launch predictions for the transport of Titan 3 C exhaust effluents

The NASA/MSFC multilayer diffusion algorithms have been specialized for the prediction of the surface impact for the dispersive transport of the exhaust effluents from the launch of a Titan 3 vehicle. This specialization permits these transport predictions to be made at the launch range in real time so that the effluent monitoring teams can optimize their monitoring grids. Basically, the data reduction routine requires just the meteorology profiles for the thermodynamics and kinematics of the atmosphere as an input. These profiles are graphed along with the resulting exhaust cloud rise history, the center line concentrations and dosages, and the hydrogen chloride isopleths.

Stephens, J. B.↗

Diffusion algorithms and data reduction routine for onsite real-time launch predictions for the transport of Delta-Thor exhaust effluents

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Marshall Space Flight Center multilayer diffusion algorithms have been specialized for the prediction of the surface impact for the dispersive transport of the exhaust effluents from the launch of a Delta-Thor vehicle. This specialization permits these transport predictions to be made at the launch range in real time so that the effluent monitoring teams can optimize their monitoring grids. Basically, the data reduction routine requires only the meteorology profiles for the thermodynamics and kinematics of the atmosphere as an input. These profiles are graphed along with the resulting exhaust cloud rise history, the centerline concentrations and dosages, and the hydrogen chloride isopleths.

Stephens, J. B.↗