Section 9.0 is the "Chemical Processes for Fission Product Concentration, Removal or Fixation" section of the Status Report on the Disposal of Radioactive Wastes. The report is divided into four areas: (1) Introduction; (2) Summary of waste processes; (3) Concept of a multipurpose waste processing facility; and (4) Details of some of the waste processes.

The radiolytic decomposition of tributyl phosphate has been show by burr to product gases, acids, and polymers. the acids that are formed can limit the usefulness of tributyl phosphate for the processing of radioactive materials. The study of acid formation on radiolysis therefor becomes important to us for the understanding of the mechanism of acid formation, the influence of added materials and the effect of the structure of organo- phosphorous compounds. Samples of purified esters have been irradiated in the ORNL cobalt source. Conclusions: (1) The formation of acid from tributyl phosphate during irradiation with cobalt gamma rays involves a mechanism that is not a primary step. Evidence has been obtained for a secondary reaction that is minimized by the presence of certain compounds. (2) Toluene acting as an inhibitor for radiolytic formation of acid may indicate the usefulness of an aromatic hydrocarbon diluent in processing. (3) The aromatic hydrocarbon, when phenyl, was not effective when it was part of the molecule. (4) First tests revealed that dibutyl butyl-phosphonate produced less acid the TBP and may warrant further consideration for process application.

Preliminary results of tests wit the Westinghouse 100A pump indicate that Al2)3 and tungsten carbide coated bearing-journal assemblies prepared by the Linde process are not promising as substitutes for the graphitar-stellite combination. The front Al2O3 assembly failed at start-up with water and both front and rear tungsten carbide assemblies failed after 121 hours with water at 245 C.

Measurements of flow rate through the fuel high-pressure system sampler indicate that the average flow rates is about 0.29 gpm (145 lb/hr) plus or minus 50%, which affords an adequate purge of from 12 to 36 volumes through the sample line if the full fifteen minutes of purging is allowed before isolating the sample. The fuel sample cooler was fund to have adequate capacity to reduce the temperature of the fuel solution form about 275 to 70 C, using pre-heated cooling water at 70 C. Uncertainties in temperature measurements make it impossible to estimate an observed over-all heat transfer coefficient.

The gamma dose rate in the motor region of the HRT fuel circulation pump was measured with the pump scroll full of radioactive solution. Extrapolation of the data to the solution activity expected in the pump under normal operation gives a dose rate well below that which would result in excessive gas production in the stator can within the life of the pump. The above dose rate does not include the effects of fast neutrons from the fuel solution or of the general cell radiation level in the vicinity of the pump. It appears that the possibility of gas production in the stator from the cell background radiation is sufficiently great to warrant the installation of a shield around the outside of the motor end of the fuel circulating pump.