Physical Characterization of Solid-Liquid Slurries at High Weight Fractions Using Optical and Ultrasonic Methods

The goal of this proposed work is to directly address the need for rapid on-line characterization of the physical properties of HLW slurries during all phases of the remediation process, from in-tank characterization of sediments to monitoring of the concentration, particle size, and degree of agglomeration and gelation of slurries during transport. Current technologies are not capable of characterizing the HLW waste stream without dilution. The results from this work will be utilized to develop new methodologies to characterize the HLW stream in-situ. There are three tasks: (1) develop new optical and acoustic scattering measurements to provide the fundamental science needed for successful device development and implementation, (2) develop theories that describe the interrelationship between wave propagation and the physical properties of the slurry, and (3) perform inversions of the theories and compare them with the experimental measurements to non-intrusively characterize slurries