Ultrasonic In-Situ Characterization of Tank Waste

The estimated cost for the retrieval, treatment, and disposal of underground and above-ground waste at DOE facilities exceeds $50 billion. At the high waste concentrations in storage tanks at these facilities, current waste characterization technologies are not effective; consequently, a significant dilution of the waste is required for characterization, which generates even more waste to be processed. Thus, a need exists to develop non-invasive characterization techniques ¿ including measurements of particle size, fraction of solids, density, and viscosity ¿ that avoid the generation of secondary waste. This project will develop ultrasonic technology for the rapid on-line characterization of the physical properties of waste slurries during all phases of the remediation process: from in-tank characterization of sediments to the monitoring of the concentration, particle size, and degree of agglomeration and gelation of slurries during transport. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardeeBeyond the characterization of the waste in DOE tanks, the technology should be applicable to the characterization of industrial slurries from the chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical industries.