Observations on the removal of gadolinium from the moderator system of pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) and advanced heavy water reactor (AHWR)

Investigation on ion exchange removal of gadolinium taken as gadolinium nitrate, which is used as neutron poison in the moderator system of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) and proposed to be used in Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) was carried out. Mixed bed operation consisting of (a) strong acid cation resin (SAC) and strong base anion resin (SBA) and (b) strong acid action resin and acrylic acid based nitrate loaded weak base anion resin were employed for the removal gadolinium from its aqueous solution at pH 5. In the former case, the outlet of the mixed bed was highly alkaline, which resulted in precipitation of gadolinium hydroxide. In the latter case, the pH of the system never crossed 6 and gadolinium was effectively picked up on the resin without getting precipitated. Series operation consisting for strong acid cation resin followed by mixed bed column consisting of strong acid cation resin and strong base anion resin/acrylic acid based weak base anion resin was also investigated. In the first case where strong base anion resin was used, there was precipitation in the system owing to the increase in pH while in the case where weak base anion resin was used there was no problem of precipitation and gadolinium removed effectively and the pH was around 6. (author)