THE PERFORMANCE OF AN ADVANCED EXPERIMENTAL STACKED-CLONE CONTACTOR: A HIGH- PERFORMANCE FOR APPLICATION TO VERY HIHGLY RADIOACTIVE SOLUTIONS

A high-performance liquid-liquid extraction contactor, called the stacked-clone contactor, has been developed through the stage of identifying an optimum design of the configuration of the functioning components. The device consists of hydroclones cascaded such that the underflow port of each hydroclone communicates with the overflow of the one below by an underflow chamber. Each stage is comprised of a hydroclone, an underflow chamber, and a pump. The contactor is under development for application with highly radioactive solutions where contact time must be minimized to reduce the degradation of the solvent by radiation damage. Contact times of less than 4.5 sec per theoretical stage have been reached in the experimental model, and contact times of less than 2.5 sec are probable by improving the design to eliminate nonfunctional volume. The throughput of the experimental model was about 4 liters/min at a stage efficiency of 65 to 80%. The stage efficiency and entrainment was relatively independent of throughput. The performance of the contactor was temperature dependent. Although the unit does require pumps at each stage, there is only one control point necessary: the top interface. The simplicity, stability, and rapid response of the contactor promise that it will be a very usable device. The principle of operation and the characteristics of the stacked-clone contactor are discussed. (auth