Mainstream Engineering

Mainstream Engineering will research a series of vacuum swing separation unit operations to separate and capture volatile radionuclides from the off-gassing of UNF aqueous reprocessing facility operations. Off-gas management and disposal accounts for roughly 13% of aqueous reprocessing systems’ capital costs and at least 10% of their operating costs for product/waste containers and utilities. The vacuum swing adsorption units researched in this project will contain targeted, specific adsorbents for the removal and concentration of radionuclides to maximize the overall process efficiency, decrease the life cycle capital and operating costs for off-gas management and disposal, and minimize waste that must be stored. These compact units could potentially reduce the amount of shielded area required, simplify off-gas logistics, and reduce energy needs while they ensure the capture of more than 99.9% of volatile radionuclides.