Evaluation of Flocculation and Filtration Procedures Applied to WSRC Sludge: AReport from B. Yarar, Colorado School of Mines

摘要

WSRC researchers have been investigating the separation of solids from aqueousslurries as part of their technology development effort. The subject technology relates to the effective removal of radionuclides from processing solutions generated by hydrometallurgical operations in past years. The solution system contains numerous solids such as iron manganese and magnesium hydroxides arising from past hydrometallurgical work. It also has an unusually-high solution-pH and high ionic strength as can be seen in the following text. The problem at this stage, is the discovery of optimal conditions for the separation of suspended solids from the aqueous solution. The final stage of the solid-liquid separation process is preferred to be cross-filtration. This report, addresses fundamentals of flocculation processes shedding light on why WSRC researchers have not been able to report the discovery of a successful flocculant and acceptable filtration rates. It also underscores the importance of applying an optimized flocculation-testing regime, which has not been adopted by these researchers. The final part of the report proposes a research scheme which should lead to a successful choice of flocculants, filtration aids (surfactants) and a filtration regime, as well recommendations for work that should be carried out to make up for the deficiencies of the limited WSRC work where a better performance should be the outcome.