Document Type

Article

Subject Area(s)

Chemical Engineering

Abstract

Electrochemical processes appear to be attractive for treating low level nuclear wastes. The development of a simple divided electrochemical-cell model operating in a batch mode, used for the reduction of nitrates and nitrites from nuclear wastes, is presented. This model, based on a boundary-layer approach, is simple and yet encompasses the key features of a previously developed distributed-parameter model that includes diffusion, migration, and convection as the flux components. Because it dramatically reduces computation time, this boundary-layer model is well suited for use in a complex interactive flowsheet model and for optimization studies. The boundary-layer model is used to predict partial current densities, reservoir concentrations, and off-gas compositions as a function of time. Good agreement between simulated and experimental data (i.e., nitrate and nitrite concentrations and off-gas compositions) is observed over the course of a batch run. In addition, a comparison with a rigorous distributed-parameter model is made to illustrate the accuracy and robustness of this model. The results of selected case studies are shown, and a preliminary batch optimization is carried out to show how the model can be used to maximize the destruction of nitrates and nitrites.

Rights

© The Electrochemical Society, Inc. 1995. All rights reserved. Except as provided under U.S. copyright law, this work may not be reproduced, resold, distributed, or modified without the express permission of The Electrochemical Society (ECS). The archival version of this work was published in the Journal of the Electrochemical Society.

http://www.electrochem.org/

Publisher's link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/1.2048419

DOI: 10.1149/1.2048419

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