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ION-1 – is a test facility for extended testing of ion-exchange resins during cyclic regeneration. The main functional elements of the test facility are the experimental columns filled with cationite (anionite). The columns are equipped with upper and lower distribution headers and piping with electromagnetic valves and regulating throttles at the discharge lines. In order to vary the hydraulic resistance of the filtering layer, there is a pipeline for supplying wash-off water to the upper headers of the columns.
The system for preparation of the acid and alkali solutions is located in the separate compartments and consists of two montejus tanks with manually operated stirrers. The montejus tanks are connected through the supply pipelines to the acid and alkali distribution tanks that are filled with the substances with the use of vacuumation system. The latter includes a vacuum pump and a rough vacuum tank, interconnected through pipelines with isolation valves.
The solutions are supplied to the experimental columns with the aid of four dispenser pumps. The wash-off water is supplied to the experimental columns from the desalinated water tank with the aid of a helical-rotor pump. The desalinated water supply system is equipped with a filter in order to protect the electromagnetic valves against mechanical impurities and with a flow-meter to monitor the desalinated water flow rate to the columns.
The discharge system includes the collection tank for the effluents from the columns, the drainages for the solution distribution tanks, for montejus tanks and rough vacuum tank. In order to prevent inadvertent air ingress into the experimental columns, there is an intermediate sump tank installed at the effluent discharge pipeline, acting as a water loop seal.
The automated process control system of the test facility has a two-tier structure, the upper and the lower tier being connected via ETHERNET. The system enables sampling of 15 measurement channels and control of 19 valves and systems of the test facility.
As per the program and procedure for certification of the ION-1 test facility the following activities have been performed:
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metrological testing of the design and maintenance documentation for the test facility;
- experimental design demonstration of the basic test facility specifications, specifically pressure range of the desalted water in the supply headers of columns, flow rate of working mediums through the columns, as well as accurate setting and maintenance of prescribed parameters at a defined number of operating cycles were determined;
- determination of hydraulic characteristics of working columns for ensuring identical conditions for concurrent determinations in testing of ion-exchange resins.
The Certificate of the Federal Agency of engineering control and metrology No.126 of 22.07.2005 on the test facility testing capacity for ion-exchange resins on mechanical and osmotic strength was received.
In the limits of carrying out works under establishment of methods of test facility tests of ion exchange resins, used to employ filters of NPP condensate refinement, the following tests were carried out:
1)
Test facility tests of high-alkali anionites of helium type of Monoplus M 500 KR brand (company «LanXess»), Monosphere A 550 LC brand (company «Dow Europe») and of macro-porosity type of AmberJet 9000 (OH) brand (company «Rohm and Haas»), Monoplus M 500 KR brand (company «LanXess»), with the number of test cycles 20, 40 and 60 were carried out. As a result, regimes and conditions of these tests for given types of high-alkali anionites were established, common showings of osmotic stability and mechanical strength for given types of anionites were determined.
2) Test facility tests of high-acid cationites of helium type of Lewatit Monoplus S 100 KR brand (company «LanXess»), Dowex Monosphere 545 C brand (company «Dow Europe») and of macro-porosity type of Lewatit Monoplus SP 112H brand (company «LanXess»), Ambersep 252H brand (company«Rohm and Haas»), with the number of test cycles 20, 40 and 60 were carried out. As a result of these tests:
- regimes of the test facility tests of high-acid helium and macro-porosity cationites with the establishment and maintenance of the given parameters of operating mediums’ flowrate and pressure were worked through;
- the techniques of the joint determination of the osmotic stability and mechanical strength of high-acid cationites of helium and macro-porosity types were devised; tests’ conditions, method of calculating of the number of safe and destroyed grains after the tests were determined.
Purpose of the ION–1 test facility and main lines of experimental research
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Performance of bench-testing of ion exchange resins for osmotic stability and mechanical strength during acceptance and in-service testing under the dynamic conditions, maximally close to the real operating conditions, in the mode «depletion – wash-off – regeneration» (one cycle) with issue a decision on the use of the specific grade of ion-exchange resins at NPP and HTP facilities.
- Acceptance and field condition testing of ion-exchange resins.
- Conduct of the extended testing of ion-exchange resins and further delivery of recommendations of their use in different filters (circuits) and assessment of their lifetime.
- Execution of audits of the manufacturers of ion-exchange resins.
- Comparative bench-testing of modified and newly-developed types of ion-exchange resins of different manufacturers.
- Certification of ion-exchange resins coming to the enterprises of the industry.
The EREC’s testing laboratory (TL) - the basis for the ION-1 testbed, has been certificated for independence and engineering competence in the Certification System of equipment, goods and technologies (EGT) for nuclear installations, radiation sources and warehouses with the right to perform certification tests. The EGT system was established with the joint resolution of Minatom, Gosatomnadzor and Gosstandard to implement requirements of the Law «On Utilization of Nuclear Power» (art. 37), and has the appropriate accreditation certificate registered in the State System List No. POCC RU.0001.01AÝ00.50.21.0008 dated 05.11.2002.
To perform certification tests, the TL has available required technical and personnel resources for implementation of work in the declared area of accreditation. The area of accreditation applies to testing of ion-exchange materials in compliance with the Russia Federation current normative documentation specifying test procedures for demonstration of characteristics compliance.
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Maximal pressure during wash-off — 0,6 MPa
Maximal flow rate during wash-off — 6 l/min
Reagent supply head — 0,15 MPa
Reagent supply flow rate — 120–130 ml/min
Solution temperature — 23±5 °C
Operating media — desalinated water:
5–10% solution H2SO4
5–10% solution NaOH
Inner diameter of the column — 15 mm
Height of the active part of the column — 600 mm
Number of cycles — 20–60
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1, 2 – cationite (anionite) columns; 3, 4 – upper and lower distribution headers; 5 – piping with the electromagnetic valves; 6 – mountjus tanks for preparation of acid and alkali solutions; 7 – distribution tanks for the acid and alkali solutions; 8 – vacuum pump; 9 – rough vacuum tank; 10 – dispenser pumps for acid and alkali solutions; 11 – desalinated water tank; 12 – helical rotor pump for desalinated water supply; 13 – flow-meter section with the filter; 14 – sump; 15 – intermediate sump (water loop seal).
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Tested core of ION-1 testbed
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