Thermokinetic analysis of spent ion-exchange resins for the optimization of carbonization reactor condition

Radioactive spent ion-exchange resins, a combustible organic waste, cannot be readily incinerated due to the volatilization of radioactive cesium. The volatilization of metals and the thermal decomposition of organics are thermally stimulated processes. An optimum thermal treatment condition without...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry 2017, Vol.127 (1), p.587-595
Main Authors: Yang, Hee-Chul, Lee, Si-Young, Choi, Yun-Chung, Yang, In-Hwan, Chung, Dong Yong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Analytical Chemistry
Burnout
Cation exchanging
Cationic polymerization
Cesium
Chemistry
Chemistry and Materials Science
Combustion
Decomposition
Decomposition reactions
Flammability
Heat treatment
Inorganic Chemistry
Ion exchange
Ion exchange resins
Measurement Science and Instrumentation
Optimization
Physical Chemistry
Polymer Sciences
Polymers
Resins
Sulfates
Thermal decomposition
Thermal stability
Thermogravimetric analysis
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Radioactive spent ion-exchange resins, a combustible organic waste, cannot be readily incinerated due to the volatilization of radioactive cesium. The volatilization of metals and the thermal decomposition of organics are thermally stimulated processes. An optimum thermal treatment condition without the volatilization of cesium species but with the substantial decomposition of organics is required for a safe volume reduction of spent ion-exchange resins. Using thermogravimetric analysis methods, this study established the optimum thermal treatment conditions for a substantial decomposition of spent resins with minimized volatilization of cesium species. Kinetic analyses and predictions of the complicated reaction steps involved in the thermal decomposition of spent cation-exchange resins were conducted initially, with the results then used to establish the optimum thermal treatment conditions. Under these optimum conditions, nearly all of the cesium species in the spent resins were converted into thermally stable cesium sulfate (Cs 2 SO 4 ) at temperatures up to 1000 °C. More than 97 % of cesium species remained after the final burning out of the carbonized spent resins.
ISSN:1388-6150
1588-2926
1572-8943
DOI:10.1007/s10973-016-5817-8