R. F. Swingle, II
Westinghouse Savannah River Company
Aiken, SC 29808

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Results from Sample HTF-E-133 pulled from Tank 40H after the fifth wash (post-decant) indicate that the supernate sodium concentration is 0.53 M versus a goal concentration of 0.50 M. This sodium concentration is also below the 0.56 M Na⁺ supernate concentration obtained in the Savannah River Technology Center’s (SRTC) wash of the Sludge Batch 2 qualification sample. This assures that the product slurry is within the bounds SRTC used in qualifying Sludge Batch 2.

Weight percent solids and density results are also presented herein. This will allow verification that the solids fraction is within the acceptable range for Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) productivity and for transfer of the slurry to the DWPF.

Keywords: Tank Farm, ESP, DWPF

The washing of Sludge Batch 2 (Macro Batch 3) has been completed and the slurry is ready for transfer to the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) for immobilization in glass. Sludge Batch 2 is a blend of sludge slurries from Tanks 8F and 40H. To qualify the batch for transfer to DWPF, samples of the sludge slurry were analyzed at various stages to verify that washing is proceeding as desired. Final samples were analyzed after washing was completed to verify that washed sludge is within parameters to allow safe processing in the DWPF and to produce acceptable glass. A Technical Task Request and a Task Technical and Quality Assurance (QA) Plan have been issued to cover these analyses.^1,2 The results of the analyses of the post-decant fifth wash sample are included herein.

A sample of sludge slurry was pulled from Tank 40H in December 2001 after addition of the inhibited water for the fifth wash of Sludge Batch 2 and final decant. The sample was transported to SRTC on December 6, 2001.

After placing the sample into the Shielded Cells, a portion of the sample was filtered to produce a clear supernate. A portion of the supernate was diluted to allow removal from the Cells for analysis. This analysis was completed using Inductively Coupled Plasma – Emission Spectrometry (ICP-ES).

Weight percent solids measurements and density measurements were conducted on the remaining slurry and supernate. The weight percent total solids in the slurry and the weight percent dissolved solids in the supernate were measured directly by placing a measured quantity (by weight) of sample into a beaker and drying it in an oven at ~115 ° C to a constant weight. The insoluble solids and soluble solids were calculated from the total solids and dissolved solids using the following equations.

The density was measured by filling a volumetrically calibrated vessel with sample and weighing.

The results of the analyses are given in Table 1. All direct results given are the average of three determinations. The one-sigma standard deviation is also given. Values for the weight percent insoluble solids and the weight percent soluble solids in the slurry are calculated from the average values from the weight percent total solids in the slurry and the weight percent dissolved solids in the supernate. No standard deviation values are given for calculated results.

The supernate sodium result is consistent with the goal for the final supernate concentration for Sludge Batch 2 and with the result of the previous sample taken before the final decant.³ The weight percent solids and density results checked against goals designed to maximize DWPF productivity and ensure the transferability of the slurry to DWPF. The density measurement for the slurry is slightly higher than measured for Sample HTF-E-126, as would be expected. The density measurement for the supernate is very close to that for HTF-E-126, also as would be expected. The weight fraction dissolved solids in the supernate is similar to that measured in the previous sample. The weight fraction total solids and insoluble solids has increased as expected.

Results of the analyses described in this report are documented in WSRC-NB-2000-00201.

1. D. C. Bumgardner, "Sludge Batch 2 – Tank 40 Sampling", HLE-TTR-2001-033, Revision 0, January 30, 2001.
2. R. F. Swingle, "Task Technical and Quality Assurance Plan for Analysis of Sludge Batch 2 Washing Samples from Tank 40H", WSRC-RP-2001-00960, Revision 0, October 22, 2001.
3. R. F. Swingle, "Results of the Tank 40H Sludge Batch 2 Final Wash (Pre-Decant) Sample HTF-E-126", WSRC-TR-2001-00534, Revision 0, November 6, 2001.