Apparatus and method for removal of radionuclides in liquids

Abstract

A vessel for removing radionuclides from a liquid. The vessel comprises a shielded housing comprising an outer shell and an inner shell disposed within the outer shell. The housing defines an ion exchange chamber between the inner and outer shells. The vessel also comprises an inlet fluidly coupled with the ion exchange chamber, the inlet being configured for fluid communication with a source of the liquid, and an outlet fluidly coupled with the ion exchange chamber, the outlet being configured for fluid communication with a destination of the liquid. The vessel further comprises a first fluid passage extending between an exterior of the vessel and the inner shell and a second fluid passage extending between the exterior of the vessel and the inner shell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vessel for treatment of radioactive liquid, said vessel comprising:
 a shielded housing defining an ion exchange chamber therein, said ion exchange chamber configured to receive ion exchange media in its interior between an interior top surface and an interior bottom surface;   an inlet diffuser disposed in said ion exchange chamber proximate said bottom surface;   an outlet collection header disposed in said ion exchange chamber proximate said top surface;   a process inlet in fluid communication with said inlet diffuser; and   a process outlet in fluid communication with said outlet collection header.   
     
     
         2 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said ion exchange media is non-regenerable. 
     
     
         3 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said ion exchange media comprises Crystalline Silicotitanate. 
     
     
         4 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said shielded housing comprises lead shielding. 
     
     
         5 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said ion exchange chamber is formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         6 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said inlet diffuser comprises a plurality of inlet screens. 
     
     
         7 . The vessel of  claim 6 , wherein said outlet collection header comprises a plurality of outlet screens. 
     
     
         8 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said process inlet and said process outlet are disposed in a riser of said ion exchange vessel. 
     
     
         9 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein when said process inlet is fluidly coupled with a source of said radioactive liquid, said radioactive liquid enters said ion exchange chamber at said inlet diffuser, flows upward through said ion exchange chamber, exits said ion exchange chamber at said outlet collection header, and exits said vessel at said process outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The vessel of  claim 1 , said housing comprising an inner shell extending within said housing separate from said ion exchange chamber. 
     
     
         11 . An assembly configured to be positioned near a storage tank containing radioactive liquid, said assembly configured for removing radionuclides from said liquid, said assembly comprising:
 a filter vessel comprising at least one filter; and   a plurality of ion exchange vessels, said ion exchange vessels each comprising:
 a shielded housing comprising an outer shell and an inner shell disposed within said outer shell, said housing defining an ion exchange chamber between said inner and outer shells; 
 a process inlet in fluid communication with said ion exchange chamber; 
 a process outlet in fluid communication with said ion exchange chamber; 
 a first fluid passage extending between an exterior of said vessel and said inner shell; and 
 a second fluid passage extending between the exterior of said vessel and said inner shell. 
   
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one filter is a rotary microfilter. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a gangway coupled with said filter vessel and said ion exchange vessels. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the thickness of said shielding varies along the length of said housing. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein each of said ion exchange vessels permit convective air flow between said first fluid passage, said inner shell, and said second fluid passage.