• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.220-225
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• 2022

Perlite is one of the major constituents of the radioactive thermal insulation waste (RTIW) originating from nuclear power plants and, for proper waste management, a significant reduction in its volume is required prior to disposal. In this work, the volume reduction of perlite is studied by high-temperature treatment method with using K₂CO₃ as a flux. The perlite is ground with 0-30 wt% K₂CO₃, and differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis is used to monitor the glass transition temperature (T_g) and weight loss. The Tg varied between ~772.2 and 837.1 ℃ with the minima at ~643.5 ℃ with the addition of ~10 wt% K₂CO₃. It is observed that compared to the pure perlite the volume reduction ratio (VRR) increases with the addition of K₂CO₃. The VRR of 11.20 is observed with 5 wt% K₂CO₃ at 700 ℃, as compared to VRR of 5.56 without K₂CO₃ at 700 ℃. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used to characterize perlite samples heat-treated without/with 5 wt% K₂CO₃ at 700 ℃. Moreover, the atomic absorption spectroscopy indicates that the proposed heat-treatment procedure is able to completely retain the radionuclides present in the perlite RTIW.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.42 no.5 s.276
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• pp.338-345
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• 2005

To prepare the complex gel of flux and pseudo-boehmite used in precursor of the flaky ${\alpha}-A1_2O_3$ crystal, aqueous solution of the mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium phosphate was added with stirring in aqueous solution of the mixture of sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate and titanium sulfate. The complex gel was dried at $110^{\circ}C$ and was crystallized above $1,050^{\circ}C$, and then the effect of the amount of titanium sulfate on size, morphology, thickness and crystal size distribution of the flaky ${\alpha}-A1_2O_3$ crystal was investigated. Addition of titanium sulfate was prevented the aggregation and generation of twin crystal, and had an effect on the crystal size and the thickness during crystal growth. When the amount of titanium sulfate was more than 6 g, particle size was decreased but was free from crystal twining and aggregation. On the other hand, when the amount of titanium sulfate was lower than 6 g, crystal size was increased but crystal twinning and aggregation were noticed.

• Clean Technology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.146-153
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• 2014

In this study, the effect of alkanolamine additives, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) and 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD) on $CO_2$ absorption rate of $K_2CO_3$ solution and the formation of $KHCO_3$ crystals was investigated. The normalized $CO_2$ flux and the equilibrium $CO_2$ partial pressure were measured for 5 wt% additives and 30 wt% $K_2CO_3$ mixtures using a wetted-wall column unit at $40^{\circ}C$ and $60^{\circ}C$. Both additives showed the increased $CO_2$ absorption rate and lowered the equilibrium $CO_2$ partial pressure acting as promoters. Besides, AMPD which has two hydroxyl groups enhanced the formation of $KHCO_3$ solid product separated from the $CO_2$-rich solution from the results of batch cooling crystallization experiments.