This invention addresses a problem posed by some large-size nuclear waste particles during a mixing process impacting the ultimate transportation of the waste. The technology associated with this invention provides researchers with a method to selectively mix large and small particles in a carrier fluid to enable transportation of the waste.
The U.S. Department of Energy adopted existing technology, called pulsed jet mixers, at its Hanford Nuclear Waste Treatment facility to mix particulate solid nuclear waste material in a liquid carrier fluid within a containment vessel. However, because the particulate material has an extensive range of sizes and weights, the largest and heaviest particles tend to settle very quickly, thereby complicating the mixing process. The existing pulse jet mixers are capable of mixing approximately 80 percent of the waste. This new technology will allow mixing of all waste.
The conventional technology uses decelerating flows to entrain and lift particles. This causes particles to collect and resist any mixing action. This invention uses accelerating flows to lift and separate particles. The accelerating flow is focused thereby controlling the particle lifting mechanism.
In summary, this new inverted pulsed jet mixing apparatus can successfully suspend solid nuclear waste in a carrier fluid with a more uniform mass fraction than the currently used technology.
