Waste Processing

Research Areas and Capabilities

• 

  3D images of a solid liquid interface bulging due to the agglomeration of gas

  Develop computational capability as a prediction tool to evaluate the performance of mixing mechanisms for high-level waste and support critical issues related to HLW retrieval and processing

  • CFD modeling of non-Newtonian flow to improve fidelity of RANS simulations
  • CFD modeling of jet pulse mixers and air sparging – optimize mixing processes by improving accuracy and efficiency of simulations.

• Monitoring of settled solids in high level waste tanks using a solid-liquid interface monitor (sonar) to create 3D images of tank floors.

• 

  Miniature magnetic rover

  

  Pneumatic crawler

  Develop robotic inspection tools that can navigate through tank channels and air supply lines and provide visual feedback. These devices can assist in understanding structural integrity issues with aging tanks.

  • Miniature magnetic rover – navigate through air channels with cross sectional areas of 1”x1” in refractory slots underneath double shell tanks
  • Pneumatic crawler – navigate through air supply lines to double shell tanks and provide video at the central plenum.

• 

  Aging test loop for EPDM HIHTLs

  Evaluation of mechanical and material properties of non-metallic materials in the high level waste transfer system. Study on the synergistic effects of elevated temperature, pressure and exposure to caustic material on polymer components for various periods of time.

• Evaluation of sensors to assess the structural integrity and operational parameters of the high level waste tanks and waste transfer system.

  • Erosion and corrosion characteristics of pipelines and fittings via ultrasonics and guided wave methods.
  • Temperature measurements via IR sensors on the outside wall within the tank annulus.

Collaborators

• Washington River Protection Solutions
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
• National Energy Technology Laboratory

Publications

1. Gokaltun, D. McDaniel, A. Awwad and J. Varona, “Pipeline unplugging experiments with the fluidic Wave-Action Technology”, Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal, 17 (2014) 73-84.
2. McDaniel, S. Gokaltun, A. Awwad, R. Srivastava, D. Roelant and J. Varona, “Qualification of Innovative Waste Pipeline Unplugging Technologies”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2008, Phoenix, AZ, February 2008.
3. McDaniel, A. Awwad, J. Varona, R. Srivastava and D. Roelant, “Design and Testing of a Solid-Liquid Interface Monitor for High-Level Waste Tanks”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2008, Phoenix, AZ, February 2008.
4. Gokaltun, D. McDaniel, D. Roelant, J. Varona, R. Patel, A. Awwad, ”Evaluation of Innovative High-Level Waste Pipeline Unplugging Technologies”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2009, Phoenix, AZ, March 2009.
5. Gokaltun, D. McDaniel, J. Varona, R. Patel, A. Awwad, D. Roelant, “Full-Scale Testing of Pipeline Unplugging Technologies - NuVision’s Fluidic Wave-Action Technology”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2009, Phoenix, AZ, March 2009.
6. Varona, A. Awwad, D. McDaniel, D. Roelant, J. Crespo, R. Rosales, “Remote Monitors for High Level Waste (HLW)”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2010, Phoenix, AZ, March 2010.
7. Gokaltun and D. McDaniel, “Multiple-Relaxation-Time Lattice Boltzmann Method for Multiphase Flows with High Density and Viscosity Ratios”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2010, Phoenix, AZ, March 2010.
8. Gokaltun, T. Pribanic, J. Varona, D. McDaniel, A. Awwad and D. Roelant, “Evaluation and Development of Innovative High-Level Waste Pipeline Unplugging Technologies”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia, Phoenix, AZ, March 2010.
9. Patel, G. Tachiev, V. Sharma, N. Yadav, D. McDaniel and D. Roelant, “Gas Retention and Release Experiments with Low Yield Stress Fluids”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2010, Phoenix, AZ, March 2010.
10. Gokaltun and D. McDaniel, “Multiple-Relaxation-Time Lattice Boltzmann Method for Multiphase Flows with High Density and Viscosity Ratios”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2011, Phoenix, AZ, March 2011.
11. Patel, G. Tachiev, N. Yadav, D. McDaniel, and D. Roelant, “Gas Retention and Release Experiments with Low Yield Stress Fluids”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2011, Phoenix, AZ, March 2011.
12. Guduru, D. Carvajal, Y. Katsenovich, L. Lagos, D. McDaniel, and C. Li, “Investigation of Effect of Uranium Microbial Surface Using Atomic Force Microscopy”, Proceedings the of Waste Management Symposia 2011, Phoenix, AZ, March 2011.
13. Gokaltun and D. McDaniel, “Three dimensional simulations of multiphase flows using a lattice Boltzmann method suitable for high density ratios”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2012, Phoenix, AZ, February 2012.
14. Pribanic, A. Awwad, J. Crespo, D. McDaniel, J. Varona, S. Gokaltun and D. Roelant, “Design Improvements and Analysis of Innovative High-Level Waste Pipeline Unplugging Technologies”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2012, Phoenix, AZ, February 2012.
15. Pribanic, A. Awwad, J. Varona, D. McDaniel, S.Gokaltun and J. Crespo, “Design Optimization of Innovative High-Level Waste Pipeline Unplugging Technologies”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2013, Phoenix, AZ, February 24-28, 2013.
16. Patel, G Tachiev, D. McDaniel and D. Castillo, “Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of High Level Waste Plug Formation (14359)”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2014, Phoenix, AZ, March 2014.
17. Awwad, T. Pribanic, J. Crespo, D. McDaniel and S. Gokaltun, “Experimental Testing of Innovative High Level Waste Pipeline Unplugging Technologies (14601)”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2014, Phoenix, AZ, March 2014.
18. Patel, S. Gokaltun, D. McDaniel, “Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of High Level Waste Plug Formation,” Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2015, Phoenix, AZ, March, 15-19, 2015.
19. McDaniel, J. Arniella, B. Castillo, D. Washenfelder and J. Engeman, “Analysis of Erosion/Corrosion Data for High-Level Waste Pipelines at Hanford, “Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2015, Phoenix, AZ, March, 15-19, 2015.
20. Sheffield, D. McDaniel, S. Tosunoglu, “Development of a Prototype Miniature Motorized Inspection Tool for Hanford DOE Site Tank Bottoms”, 2015 Florida Conference on Recent Advances in Robotics, Melbourne, Florida, May 14-15, 2015.
21. Abbasi, M. Edrei, S. Gokaltun and D. McDaniel, “Improving the Accuracy of Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations of Nuclear Waste Mixing using Direct Numerical Simulations,” Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2016, Phoenix, AZ, March, 6-10, 2016.
22. Abrahao, H. Fekrmandi, E. Gocke, R. Sheffield, and D. McDaniel, “Development of Inspection Tools for the AY-102 Double-Shell Tank at the Hanford DOE Site”, Proceedings of the Waste Management Symposia 2016, Phoenix, AZ, March, 6-10, 2016.
23. Fekrmandi, R. Sheffield, D. McDaniel, “Validation of the Miniature Inspection Tool for the AY-102 Double-Shell Tank at the Hanford DOE Site“, Florida Conference on Recent Advances in Robotics, Miami, FL, May 12-13, 2016.
24. Abrahao, S. Zalongo, G. Yllanes, J.Viera, L. Lagos, D. McDaniel, “Remotely Operated Multi-Tracked Robot for Visual Inspection in D&D Activities”, Florida Conference on Recent Advances in Robotics, Miami, FL, May 12-13, 2016.
25. Abrahao, E. Gokce and D. McDaniel, “Development of a Peristaltic Crawler for the Inspection of the High Level Waste Tanks at Hanford,” ANS Decommissioning and Remote Systems 2016 Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, July 31- August 4, 2016.
26. Aravelli, D. McDaniel, A. Abrahao, A. Awwad, C. Davila, “Thermal Measurement and Modeling of Nuclear Waste in the Double Shell Tanks at Hanford Nuclear Waste Site Using Miniature Sensors,” International Microelectronics Assembly and Packaging Society 2016, Pasadena, CA, October 11-13, 2016.

Photos

3D images of a solid liquid interface bulging due to the agglomeration of gas

Miniature magnetic rover

Pneumatic crawler

Aging test loop for EPDM HIHTLs