Development of a low cost, low environmental impact process for disposal of nitrate wastes. [Pseudoponas stutzeri; scrap enriched uranium purification].

Author: Napier, J. M.
Published: United States : [publisher not identified], 1975.
[Oak Ridge, Tennessee] : [U.S. Atomic Energy Commission], 1975.
Physical Description: microfiche : negative ; 11 x 15 cm

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Summary

A uranium recycle process in the Y-12 Plant generates nitrate ions which must be discarded. Scrap enriched uranium is dissolved in nitric acid and solvent extracted to remove impurities from the uranium. Aluminum nitrate is also used in the process to remove the purified uranium from the solvent extraction process. Dilute nitric acid, aluminum nitrate, and metallic impurities must be discarded from this process. A program was started to develop a low cost, low environmental impact process for disposal of these nitrate wastes. Several disposal methods were considered. A process was selected which included: distillation and recycle of nitric acid; crystallization and recycle of aluminum nitrate; and biodegradation of the remaining nitrate waste solutions. For this presentation, only the biodegradation process will be discussed. A colony of Pseudomonas stutzeri, which is capable of using the nitrate ion as the oxygen supply, was used. An excess of organic material was used to insure that the maximum amount of nitrate was destroyed.

Report Numbers

Y-DA-6347; CONF-7506126-1

Other Subject(s)

Collection

U.S. Atomic Energy Commission depository collection.

Note

DOE contract number: W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI Identifier 7352020
Research organization: Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, Tenn. (USA).

View MARC record | catkey: 47042006