Filtrate Evaporation

DOE-HDBK-3010-94

Appendix B; Plutonium Recovery Facility

vessels. They are equipped with constant rpm, motor-driven agitators that are

designed to prevent formation of fine precipitate. The lid over the vessel is fitted

with a blow-out plug in the event of overpressurization of the vessel. Temperature

control is provided by chilled water flowing through coils in the vessels. This water

is continuously recirculated through package chillers mounted in the bottom of the

glovebox. Make-up water to these chillers is provided by process water.

The filtrate slab vessel is made of Pyrex reinforced with stainless steel. It is equipped

with level indication, an always open line to the vessel vent system, and a blow-out

plug. Temperature indication controls chilled water flow rate and, on high

temperature indication, shuts hydrogen peroxide and plutonium feed supply valves and

turns off the plutonium feed gear pump. The load cell is equipped with both local

and remote weight readouts, and an alarm. As in other liquid lines, the sump level

interlock stops major chemical and feed addition to the glovebox.

2.2.2.5.4

F iltrate E vap oration

This system is identical to the eluate evaporation system previously described. It

concentrates the filtrate, which contains greater than discard limits of plutonium. The

bottoms from the unit are sampled to verify concentration and then transferred to the

dissolver solution storage tanks as recycle material. The distillate is discharged to

waste storage vessels #20 and #21 in the tank farm.

2.2.2.6 D ry P rocessin g L in e

The dry processing line consists of three distinct but structurally joined gloveboxes that turn

peroxide cake into plutonium fluoride. These gloveboxes are the calcination line, the

hydrofluorination line, and the HF scrubbing line. The dry processing line does not draw

room air in for ventilation as previous lines did. It is supplied dry air via ducting, and is

equipped with humidity alarms. Dry air is needed to ensure material is not contaminated

with water. Such contamination could prevent formation of an acceptable product.

2.2.2.6.1

C alcin ation

The calcination line turns plutonium peroxide cake into plutonium oxide for feed to

the hydrofluorination line. A simple schematic of the line is provided as Figure B.12.

Temporary storage racks for plutonium peroxide containers are available in the

calcination line to allow feed to accumulate for a calciner run. This material is

initially placed in a drying vessel that pulls air through at ambient temperature for the

first cycle and elevates the temperature to approximately 130 F for the second cycle.

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