Hybrid LES–multizonal modelling of the uranium oxalate precipitation

Oxalic precipitation is usually applied to process radioactive wastes or to recover actinides from a multicomponent solution. Due to their later handling and use, actinide precipitates have to satisfy strict requirements. In nuclear environment where experiments are limited, simulation may be the on...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemical engineering science 2012-07, Vol.77, p.95-104
Main Authors: Bertrand, M., Plasari, E., Lebaigue, O., Baron, P., Lamarque, N., Ducros, F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Chemical and Process Engineering
Chemical engineering
Engineering Sciences
Exact sciences and technology
fluid mechanics
Hydrodynamics
Hydrodynamics of contact apparatus
Large-eddy simulation
Micromixing
Pollution
Population balance
Precipitation
radioactive waste
Radioactive wastes
Reactors
Uranium
Wastes
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Summary:Oxalic precipitation is usually applied to process radioactive wastes or to recover actinides from a multicomponent solution. Due to their later handling and use, actinide precipitates have to satisfy strict requirements. In nuclear environment where experiments are limited, simulation may be the only way to test different industrial configurations in order to adjust industrial campaigns. In this manuscript, the modelling of the tetravalent uranium oxalate precipitation in an unbaffled reactor is achieved using a hybrid multizonal/CFD model. The population balance is solved according to the moment method in a multizonal model entirely parameterised through computational fluid dynamics calculations based on large-eddy simulation (LES) and a sub-grid model of micromixing. The modelling is applied to show how the specificity of flow field in an unbaffled reactor can have a noticeable effect on the uranium oxalate properties. ► Modelling of the uranium oxalate precipitation in an unbaffled reactor. ► The hydrodynamic model is based on the LES approach. ► The population balance is solved with the moment method in a multizonal model. ► One-way coupling between the multizonal and LES models. ► Simulations show a strong influence of feeding point as crystal sizes vary 8 times.
ISSN:0009-2509
1873-4405
DOI:10.1016/j.ces.2012.03.019