Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Four simulated waste streams relevant to the vitrification of Hanford nuclear waste were studied to evaluate the removal kinetics of technetium-99 (Tc) and co-mingled Cr(VI) during treatment with solid ferrous hydroxide (Fe(OH)2(s)). Simulants treated with Fe(OH)2(s) were reacted for 24 h and sub-sampled periodically to monitor Tc and Cr removal. Solution sample analysis during the reaction was coupled with solid phase characterization, for example, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), to establish influence of the solid phase product on Tc and Cr removal rates. Based on these results, the majority of Tc and Cr removal occurs within the first 5 min of simulant contact with Fe(OH)2(s). However, the order in which Tc and Cr are completely removed from each simulant depends on the simulant chemistry, the preferred reduction pathway, and the solid phase product, for example, magnetite (Fe3O4) versus goethite (α-FeOOH). Low pH and low Cr concentrations favor rapid Tc removal, with XRD and XAS confirming that Fe3O4 readily incorporates reduced Tc(IV) into its structure. High pH, high Cr concentrations, and the presence of other co-mingled constituents favor heterogeneous removal of Tc early in the reaction (<1 h) with removal rates often faster than those determined for Cr. At reaction times of >1 h, Tc removal slows as homogeneous removal of Cr begins to dominate, concurrent with an increase in the formation of FeOOH as the solid phase reaction product. These results suggest that for complex, high pH waste streams, Tc removal within the first hour after Fe(OH)2(s) treatment is necessary for complete Tc reduction and improved mineral immobilization.