Dissolution, Precipitation, and Deposition of Aluminum- Containing Phases in Tank Wastes

The goal of the proposed work is to understand the kinetics of dissolution, precipitation, and scale formation involving aluminum-containing phases in alkaline salt solutions representative of tank wastes. This research will identify aluminum-containing phases that are likely be present or to form and will predict conditions under which such phases are likely to form or be present. Experiments will identify processing conditions that either promote or inhibit the heterogeneous or homogeneous nucleation and growth of aluminum-containing phases to form precipitates or scales. Test conditions encompass conditions anticipated for waste storage, washing, leaching, concentration in evaporators, and contact with pipes, ion exchangers, and other processing media