Removal of nitric acid from a simulated high level liquid waste by a safe chemical denitration

The heat and off-gas generation behavior was experimentally examined during a safe chemical denitration, pre- and mild-denitration, of simulated HLLW with a nitric acid concentration of 2 to 7.5 M. The maximum heat and off-gas generation were no more than 100 cal/s·1 and about 0.8 l/min, respectively. The solution temperature does not reach boiling temperature and no solution was squirted out from the denitration vessel. The pre-and mild-denitration technique could be considered as one of safe methods for removing nitric acid from the HLLW with various nitric acid concentrations. The pre- and mild-denitration also has an advantage to improve the filtration characteristics of precipitates produced by the denitration of simulated HLLW. The denitration of HLLW with 7.5M nitric acid concentration induced formation of “very easy-to-filter” solid. Moreover, a good filter cake washing is possible.     

Influence of urea on initiation and termination of reaction between nitric acid and formic acid

The influence of urea on initiation and termination of the reaction between nitric and formic acids was experimentally examined. The urea injection can terminate the denitration reaction in 2 to 10M salt-free nitric acid solutions and the simulated high level liquid wastes (HLLWs) with a nitric acid concentration of 2 to 6M. An excess of urea can interrupt the initiation of denitration in both simulated HLLW and salt-free nitric acid solutions. The initiation and termination of denitration are in relation with nitrous acid formation and decomposition. Urea reacts with nitrous acid easily in the denitrating solution and decomposes nitrous acid. As the urea concentration increases in the solution, the continuance of denitration become impossible because the decomposition rate of nitrous acid exceeds the generation rate. In addition, the nitrous acid concentration can not be high enough to initiate the denitration in the solution with an excess of urea because nitrous acid is decomposed by urea.     

Development of a continuous homogeneous process for denitration by treatment with formaldehyde

Removal of nitric acid from high level liquid wastes (HLLW) of nuclear fuel reprocessing plants is warranted for simplifying the procedure for waste fixing. Chemical denitration aims to reduce the waste volume by destroying the acidity and subsequent concentration by adding suitable reductants. Reduction of nitric acid to gaseous products is an attractive way to accomplish denitration. Nitric acid reduction with formaldehyde proceeds with the formation of CO₂, NO₂, NO or N₂O depending on the reaction conditions and all the reaction products except water can be eliminated from the system in gaseous form. The HNO₃–HCHO reaction is governed by a complex mechanism of exhibiting relatively long induction period, depending upon the temperature, concentration of reactants and nitrous acid reaction intermediate. In the present work, a homogeneous denitration process with formaldehyde which offers safety and is governed by controlled kinetics was demonstrated on a laboratory scale. The induction period before commencement of the reaction was eliminated by maintaining the reaction mixture at a pre determined temperature of 98 °C. Based on the results accrued from lab scale experiments, the equipment for pilot plant scale operation was designed, the reaction efficiency for continuous denitration was determined and the investigation of nitric acid destruction was extended to full-scale plant capacity. The role of organics in the waste in foaming up of the reaction mixture was also studied using a synthetic waste solution.     

Stability of NF membranes under extreme acidic conditions

Two commercial nanofiltration (NF) membranes (FilmTec NF-45 and Desal-5 DK) and two new NF-1 membranes made by BPT (Bio Pure Technology) for the purpose of a European Union funded research project (RENOMEM) were tested under extreme acidic conditions. The polyethersulphone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) supports used for casting the BPT-NF-1 membranes were also tested under similar conditions. The 006 and 015 UF supports were found to be stable in 5% nitric acid at 20 and 80 °C for 4 and 3 months, respectively. Both supports (006 and 015) showed a significant reduction in flux after immersion in sulphuric acid at both temperatures. The BPT-NF-1 membranes showed excellent resistance to 20% sulphuric acid for up to 4 months at 20 °C but were attacked by the nitric acid solution. The resistance of the two commercial membranes in 20% sulphuric acid at 20 °C was generally lower than that of the BPT-NF-1 membranes. The NF-45 membrane was slightly more stable in 5% nitric acid at 20 °C. Degradation of the membrane occurred only after 2 months while both the Desal-5 DK and BPT-NF-1 membranes degraded during the first month. At the higher temperature of 80 °C in 5% nitric acid all membranes degraded in the first month.The cause of membrane degradation was attributed to oxidation of the thin NF selective skin layer in nitric acid and to acid-catalysed hydrolysis of this layer in sulphuric acid. Knowing the cause of membrane degradation is a step forward in developing a better and more stable nanofiltration membrane.     

Use of Microwave Radiation for Denitration of Uranyl Nitrate Solution and Subsequent Sintering of Uranium Dioxide Fuel Pellets

Russian Journal of Applied Chemistry - Fabrication of ceramic UO2 fuel pellets using microwave radiation was studied. The UO2 powder was prepared by microwave denitration of a nitric acid solution...     

Characterization of Nitro-Substituted Polybenzimidazole Synthesized by the Reaction with Nitric Acid

Abstract

Nitro-substituted poly[2,2′-(m-phenylene)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole]s (PBIs) were synthesized by the reaction of PBI with nitric acid in sulfuric acid under various conditions. The number of nitro groups substituted on the aromatic ring of PBI per polymeric unit varied from 1.44 to 3.55 according to the reaction conditions. An increase in reaction temperature and concentration of the nitric acid increased the degree of substitution. The inherent viscosity of the substituted polymer increased as the reaction temperature decreased. When the reaction temperature was 30°C, the inherent viscosity of the polymer increased as the concentration of nitric acid increased. The nitro-substituted PBI exhibited polyelectrolyte behavior in formic acid. The nitro groups substituted on PBI were dissociated when the polymer was heated to 450°C, displaying exothermic behavior, and the decomposition of polymer was proportional to its nitro group content. All nitro-substituted PBIs showed better solubilities in polar aprotic and acidic solvents, such as dimethylacetamide, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, formic acid, sulfuric acid, and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid.     

Formic acid regeneration by electromembrane processes

Waters containing low amounts of sodium formate and sodium hydroxide were processed in order to regenerate formic acid. The treatment was performed in three steps: wastewaters neutralization, sodium formate concentration by conventional electrodialysis (ED), and sodium formate splitting into formic acid and sodium hydroxide by bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED). A coupling of these processes was performed. ED was carried out with a current efficiency of 90% and sodium formate concentration up to 2 mol dm⁻³. BMED was performed in a three-compartment cell configuration. Formic acid solution up to 30% was obtained with current efficiency of 80% under a current density of 500 A m⁻². Diffusion of molecular formic acid explains the current efficiency loss. The current efficiency varies with acid concentration and current density. Diffusion is more important through the anion-exchange membrane than through the bipolar membrane (2.5-fold).

Depleted salt produced in BMED was recycled to the neutralisation step.     

Microwave promoted energy-efficient N-formylation with aqueous formic acid

Microwave-induced organic reaction enhancement (‘MORE’) chemistry technique (open vessel; controlled microwave energy to stay below the boiling point of the reaction mixture) was used for the N-formylation of aliphatic and aromatic amines and amino heterocycles with aq formic acid (80%) on a multiple gram scale in a few minutes.     

Crystal transition from hydrated chitosan and chitosan/monocarboxylic acid complex to anhydrous chitosan investigated by X‐ray diffraction

We have studied the crystal transition behaviors from hydrated chitosan to anhydrous chitosan by X‐ray diffraction analyses. Hydrated chitosan prepared by deacetylation of crustacean α‐chitin was subjected to the two conversion methods, hydrothermal treatment and high‐humidity treatment via chitosan/monocarboxylic acid complex. The transition by hydrothermal treatment progressed with increasing treatment temperature and time, and the rapid transition occurred above 200 °C. Chitosan/acetic acid complex and chitosan/formic acid complex were prepared by immersing hydrated chitosan in acid solution. The transition from chitosan/acetic acid complex to anhydrous chitosan in high relative humidity condition proceeded with increasing temperature and was complete at 80 °C for 1 h, whereas chitosan/formic acid complex did not convert to anhydrous chitosan under the same conditions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 1065–1069     

Selective Hydrogen Generation from Formic Acid with Well‐Defined Complexes of Ruthenium and Phosphorus–Nitrogen PN3‐Pincer Ligand

An unsymmetrically protonated PN³‐pincer complex in which ruthenium is coordinated by one nitrogen and two phosphorus atoms was employed for the selective generation of hydrogen from formic acid. Mechanistic studies suggest that the imine arm participates in the formic acid activation/deprotonation step. A long life time of 150 h with a turnover number over 1 million was achieved.     

Synthesis of 2,3,4,5-tetranitropyrrole

Dealkylation of 1-tert-butyl-2,3,4-trinitropyrrole in boiling trifluroacetic acid gave 2,3,4-trinitropyrrole, the structure of which was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Treatment of this trinitropyrrole with nitric acid/oleum briefly at 60° gave 2,3,4,5-tetranitropyrrole.     

Oxidation of brown coal of Angren deposit with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids

Oxidation of brown coal of Angren deposits by a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids was studied in respect of dependence on the concentration of nitric acid (5–30%), concentration of sulfuric acid in nitric acid solution (2.5–20%), and temperature (40–80°C) at the process duration 2 h and the ratio of coal: HNO₃ = 1: 2. Optimal conditions of the process in terms of maximum yield of humic acids and the minimum loss of nitrogen oxides were found.     

N-vinyl pyrrolidone promoted aqueous-phase dehydrogenation of formic acid over PVP-stabilized Ru nanoclusters

In this work, we fabricated the poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)(PVP)-stabilized ruthenium(0) nanoclusters by reduction of RuCl_3 using different reducing agents, and studied their catalytic activity in hydrogen generation from the decomposition of formic acid.It was demonstrated that N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone(NVP), which is a monomer of PVP, could promote the reaction by coordination with Ru nanoparticles. The Ru nanoparticles catalyst reduced by sodium borohydride(NaBH_4) exhibited highest catalytic activity for the decomposition of formic acid into H_2 and CO_2. The turnover of numenber(TOF) value could reach 26113 h~(–1) at 80 °C. We believe that the effective catalysts have potential of application in hydrogen storage by formic acid.     

椰壳活性炭氧化后负载硅基复合氧化物低温脱硝催化剂的研究

椰壳活性炭经硝酸氧化处理后做载体,采用浸渍法负载含SiO_2的复合氧化物,用做低温脱硝催化剂.在锰氧化物中添加Ti O2,可以提高催化剂的抗硫性能,但低温脱硝活性降低.然而在锰氧化物中添加SiO_2,不仅提高了催化剂的抗硫性能,而且也提高了脱硝活性.TEM结果表明加入SiO_2可以有效的减小复合氧化物晶粒尺寸,更提高了其在载体上的分散度.NH_3-TPD结果显示加入SiO_2后催化剂表面酸性显著增强.XPS分析发现加入SiO_2还增大了催化剂表面Mn~(4+)的相对含量.此外,经硝酸氧化处理过的椰壳活性炭,表面含氧基团增加,从而也大大提高了对NH_3及NO的吸附容量.在相同脱硝条件下,与原料活性炭负载的催化剂比较,硝酸氧化处理后的活性炭负载的催化剂具有更高的脱硝效率.     

Chemical stability of nonwetting, low adhesion self-assembled monolayer films formed by perfluoroalkylsilanization of copper

A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) has been produced by reaction of 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyldimethylchlorosilane (PFMS) with an oxidized copper (Cu) substrate and investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), friction force microscopy (FFM), a derivative of AFM, and contact angle measurement. FFM showed a significant reduction in the adhesive force and friction coefficient of PFMS modified Cu (PFMS/Cu) compared to unmodified Cu. The perfluoroalkyl SAM on Cu is found to be extremely hydrophobic, yielding sessile drop static contact angles of more than 130 degrees for pure water and a "surface energy" (which is proportional to the Zisman critical surface tension for a Cu surface with 0 rms roughness) of 14.5 mJm2(nMm). Treatment by exposure to harsh conditions showed that PFMS/Cu SAM can withstand boiling nitric acid (pH=1.8), boiling water, and warm sodium hydroxide (pH=12, 60 degrees C) solutions for at least 30 min. Furthermore, no SAM degradation was observed when PFMS/Cu was exposed to warm nitric acid solution for up to 70 min at 60 degrees C or 50 min at 80 degrees C. Extremely hydrophobic (low surface energy) and stable PFMS/Cu SAMs could be useful as corrosion inhibitors in micro/nanoelectronic devices and/or as promoters for antiwetting, low adhesion surfaces or dropwise condensation on heat exchange surfaces.     

Microwave heated vapor-phase digestion method for biological sample materials

A microwave heated, vapor-phase nitric acid-hydrogen peroxide digestion method for pulverized, biological sample materials was developed. Sample masses up to 200 mg were digested using calibrated quartz inserts inside first generation type, low-pressure, Teflon-PFA microwave vessels. In the first step, samples were digested in the vapor-phase for 80 min using a progressive heating pattern. Three mL of 70% nitric acid and 0.5 mL of 30% hydrogen peroxide were used as digestion reagents. In the second step, the small residue left after first step digestion was dissolved in 1.4% nitric acid or additionally with 0.5% hydrofluoric acid by heating for 15 min. The digestion method was optimized using pike (Esox lucius) muscle as a test material. The method was further optimized using three certified reference materials. Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg and ¶Zn were determined from NIST-SRM 1577a bovine liver by ICP-AES. Cr and Ni were determined from NIST-SRM 8433 corn bran and NRCC DOLT-2 dogfish liver by GFAAS. For all elements the values obtained were close or within certified limits. Spike recoveries were between 96 to 107%. Digestion efficiency ranged from 91 to 99%.     

Poly(4,4′-dipiperidyl)amides

Polyamides from 4,4′-dipiperidyl, 1,2-ethylene-, and 1,3-propylene- bridged dipiperidyls were prepared via solution and interfacial polycondensation techniques. In sharp contrast to the polyamides from N,N′-alkyl-substituted alkylene diamines and aromatic diacids, the polyamides from 4,4′-dipiperidyls are high-melting (up to 455°C) and alcohol-insoluble. Tough films were cast from formic acid solutions of the polymers; fiber of good physical properties was prepared from a formic acid solution of the polyterephthalamide of 1,2-di(4-piperidyl)ethane.     

Characterization of the precipitates formed during the denitration of simulated HRLW

The denitration of several chemical compositions of simulated HRLW (highly radioactive liquid waste) was performed using formic acid as reducing agent. Precipitates formed during the denitration of simulated HRLW were analyzed using X-ray diffraction and⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Goethite and amorphous fraction were the principal phases in these precipitates. It was found that the chemical composition of simulated HRLW and the experimental conditions of denitration have more influence on the crystallinity and the particle size than on the phase composition of the precipitates. Thermal treatment of denitrated precipitates caused the solid state transformation of goethite+amorphous fraction into hematite. The values of hyperfine magnetic field (HMF) of hematite were decreased, thus indicating the substitution of Fe³⁺ ions with other metal cations.     

On the reaction of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidones with nitric acid. Preparation and x‐ray structure analysis of a stable nitrolic acid

A series of substituted 3,4‐dihydro‐2‐pyrimidones (DHPMs) was reacted with nitric acid under different reaction conditions. Treatment of DHPMs with 50‐65% nitric acid at 0 °C led to the formation of the corresponding dehydrogenated 2‐pyrimidones in moderate to good yields. In contrast, reaction of one representative DHPM with 60% nitric acid at 50 °C led to an unusually stable nitrolic acid, involving a formal nitration, nitrosation, and dehydrogenation step. The molecular structure of this product was determined by X‐ray crystallographic analysis     

Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur katalytischen Aktivität von Nickel und kristallinen Nickelboriden sowie RANEY-Nickel und borhaltigem RANEY-Nickel: Hydrierungs- und Dehydrierungsreaktionen,elektrochemische Methanoloxydation

The catalytic activation of the decomposition of gaseous formic acid with nickel powder and crystalline nickel borides is compared. Only after treatment with NH₃-solution the activity of the nickel borides has the same order as that of nickel powder. Ni₃B is the best of the catalysts used. The crystalline nickel borides cannot catalyze the anodic oxydation of methanol in alcaline solution at 80°C. — Nickel catalysts containing Boron can be prepared by the RANEY method from nickel boride and aluminum. These catalysts have the same activity as normal RANEY nickel with respect to the hydrogenation of the C?C? bond in crotonic acid; they are more active with respect to the C?O? bond of acetone. Methanol can be oxydised fastly in alcaline solution at 80°C on electrodes containing RANEY nickel. RANEY nickel containing boron is still better.