Vessel-Spanning Bubble Formation in K-Basin Sludge Stored in Large-Diameter Containers

Terrones, Guillermo ; Gauglitz, Phillip A.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (U.S.)

关键词: Sludges;    Testing;    K Basin Sludge;    08 Hydrogen;    Hydrogen;   

DOI  :  10.2172/15001409
RP-ID  :  PNNL-13805
RP-ID  :  AC05-76RL01830
RP-ID  :  15001409

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

The K Basin sludge to be retrieved and stored in the large diameter containers (LDCs) contains some fraction of uranium metal that generates hydrogen gas, which introduces potential upset conditions. One postulated upset condition is a rising plug of sludge supported by a hydrogen bubble that is driven into the vent filters at the top of the container. In laboratory testing with actual K Basin sludge, vessel-spanning bubbles that lifted plugs of sludge were observed in 3-inch-diameter graduated cylinders. This report presents a series of analytical assessments performed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to address the potential for the generation of a vessel spanning bubble in the LDCs. The assessments included the development and evaluation of static and dynamic bubble formation models over the projected range of K Basin sludge physical properties. Additionally, the theory of circular plates was extrapolated to examine conditions under which a plug of sludge would collapse and release a spanning bubble.