Processing of High Level Waste: Spectroscopic Characterization of Redox Reactions in Supercritical Water - Final Report

Current efforts are focused on the oxidative dissolution of chromium compounds found in Hanford tank waste sludge. Samples of chromium oxides and hydroxides with varying degrees of hydration are being characterized using Raman, FTIR, and XPS spectroscopic techniques. Kinetics of oxidation reactions at subcritical and supercritical temperatures are being followed by Raman spectroscopy using a high temperature stainless steel cell with diamond windows. In these reactions both hydrogen peroxide and nitrate anions are used as the oxidizing species with Cr(III) compounds and organic compounds as reducing agents