Full-scale performance of new organic resin ratios and inorganic materials for processing low level liquids at Diablo Canyon Power Plant

This paper discusses Pacific Gas and Electric Company's full-scale operating experience using new ion exchange resins and rations for processing radioactive liquids at Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP). Previous tests investigated new organic resins, various resin ratios and several ion selective inorganic media for processing nonrecyclable and recyclable plant liquids. The data from those bench scale tests indicated how processing liquids at DCPP could be improved. Information obtained from the bench scale tests have been directly applied to full-scale operation throughout 1989. Processing nonrecyclable and recyclable liquids prior to the bench scale tests utilized a 50:50 mixed bed (Amberlite IRN-150) ion exchange resin. The full-scale test of new media effectively processed more liquid at higher conductivities than previously experienced. Optimizing the cation and anion ratios has improved the removal of radionuclides and chemical species for specific liquid streams. The use of polyelectrolyte pretreatment in full-scale processing has enhanced the radionuclide decontamination for nonrecyclable liquids. The combination of these applications has improved the ion exchange process for treating nonrecyclable and recyclable liquids at DCPP. 1 ref., 2 figs., 1 tab