Studiecentrum Voor Kernenergie

Johan Braet

Aime E Bruggeman

A method for separating boric acid from a liquid, especially liquid waste obtained from a nuclear power plant. In the method, the waste solution containing the boric acid is contacted with steam in a reactor so that the boric acid evaporates from the liquid and passes into the steam vapor phase. Consequently, the radioactive wastes which are not evaporated with the steam remain in the waste water while the boric acid is removed from the waste water when it passes into the vapor or steam phase. The boric acid can then be separated and recovered from the steam by means of a distillation and fractionating column or a wash column. By removing the boric acid from the liquid waste, it is possible to obtain concentrated radioactive waste having a reduced volume due to the absence of boric acid in the waste.

Method for separating boric acid

The present invention provides a method for separating boric acid from a liquid, especially liquid waste obtained from a nuclear power plant. In the process, the waste solution containing the boric acid is contacted with steam in a reactor so that the boric acid evaporates from the liquid and passes into the steam vapor phase. Consequently, the radioactive wastes which are not evaporated with the steam remain in the waste water while the boric acid is removed from the waste water when it passes into the vapor or steam phase. The boric acid can then be separated and recovered from the steam by means of a distillation and fractionating column or a wash column. By removing the boric acid from the liquid waste, it is possible to obtain concentrated radioactive waste having a reduced volume due to the absence of boric acid in the waste.

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Nazareth, Belgium

Johan Braet