SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1996
STP14114S

Preliminary Tests of an Infrared Process Monitor for Polyethylene Encapsulation of Radioactive Waste

Source

Polyethylene encapsulation is a process that is being nvestigated for the solidification of radioactive nitrate salts at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Rocky Flats Plant. In the encapsulation process, radioactive-salt waste is mixed with polyethylene pellets, heated, and extruded as a molten stream. Upon cooling, the mixture solidifies to a monolithic waste form with excellent properties for long-term waste storage. This paper describes a novel method to monitor the composition of the salt/polymer stream as it exits the extruder.

The monitor is based on a technique known as transient infrared spectroscopy (TIRS). The TIRS monitor is able to capture the real-time mid-infrared spectrum of the processed waste stream as it exits the extruder. The wealth of chemical information contained in a mid-infrared spectrum makes this technique very appealing for on-line monitoring and process control. Data from the monitor can be used to guide processing, minimize waste volume, and certify the composition of the final waste form.

Author Information

Wright, SL
Ames Laboratory-USDOE, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Jones, RW
Ames Laboratory-USDOE, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
McClelland, JF
Ames Laboratory-USDOE, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Kalb, PD
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
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Details
Developed by Committee: D34
Pages: 198–208
DOI: 10.1520/STP14114S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5318-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1443-2