(12e) Destruction of Tetraphenylborate Via Wet Air Oxidation Technology

Tank 48H at the Department of Energy's (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken, South Carolina. currently holds ~240,000 gallons of legacy material containing organic tetraphenylborate (TPB) compounds from the operation of the In-Tank Precipitation process. This material, which is about 2 wt % insoluble potassium and cesium tetraphenylborate is not compatible with the current waste treatment facilities at SRS. Hence, it must be removed or undergo treatment to destroy the organic compounds before the tank can be returned to routine Tank Farm service. Tank 48H return to service is critical to the processing of high level waste at SRS. Wet Air Oxidation is being evaluated for its ability or potential to destroy TPB. This paper will address plans that are underway at SRS in this effort.