| An investigation of the sodium aluminate-sodium nitrate system was conducted. The effect of sodium nitrate on the solubility of aluminum is important to the retrieval of waste from the tanks at the Hanford nuclear facility located in the state of Washington. Experiments were performed on the NaAlO2 - NaNO3 - H2O system at 25°C and 50°C. The results obtained from these experiments were then compared to predictions from the Environmental Simulation Program (ESP, OLI Systems, Inc.) and available literature data. The presence of sodium nitrate increased the solubility of sodium aluminate in water. Sodium nitrate exhibited a greater effect on the solubility of sodium aluminate at higher temperature. Error analysis of the experimental data was performed and indicated that the experimental molalities were accurate to within an average of +/-3%. The measured data will be used to improve existing databases for ESP. |
