Boric Acid Reclamation

Question 1

What is the main purpose of the Boric Acid Reclamation(BAC)system ??

Answer 1

Separation process of borated water from CVCS HUT, into a distillate with <10pm TDS & concentrate

Question 2

How does the BAC concentrate Boron from the processed fluid ?

Answer 2

-Flashing processed fluid, which concentrates boron into the remaining process fluid

Question 3

What does concentrating the boron from the Processed Fluid allow us to do?

Answer 3

Allows us to reuse boron when required concentration is achieved by transferring it to RWT

Question 4

How is distillate made ? What is it used for ?

Answer 4

-Distillate is made by condensing vapor inside the Distillate Condenser
-Used to support BAC
-Could be transferred to RMWT

Question 5

What is Vapor Release ?

Answer 5

Some of the vapor is released to atmosphere for inventory control & to release Tritium

Question 6

Where does CVCS HUT collect its water from ?

Answer 6

-Radioactive Collection, Processing, & Storage
-VCT Divert during high LVL

Question 7

How many CVCS HUT pumps are maintained running during recirculation? Why are they maintained running ?

Answer 7

-There is one CVCS HUT pump maintained running to recirculate
-Maintained running to prevent boron from coming out of solution

Question 8

What components are included in the Process Feed flow path ?

Answer 8

CVCS HUT, CVCS Holdup Pumps, & Process Feed Flow Valve

Question 9

What is the Process Feed Flow Path ?

Answer 9

-CVCS HUT gets pumped by CVCS Holdup Pumps to the Boric Acid Concentrator
-Process Feed Valve throttles process feed flow to maintain Flash Tank LVL(LV-287)

Question 10

What components are included in the Concentrate Loop ?

Answer 10

-Concentrate Pumps
-Concentrate Heater
-Flash Tank

Question 11

What is the normal operation of the Concentrate Pumps ?

Answer 11

-Normally both pumps are running supply bulk of flow to flash tank
-Small portion flow to Concentrate pumps for Cooling & Recirc. Process

Question 12

What is the heat source of the Concentrate Heater? Once heat sources heat is transferred where does it drain back to ?

Answer 12

-The heat source is Aux. Steam
-Once the steam transfers its heat to the concentrate it condenses & drains back to Condensate Receiver Tank

Question 13

Where does the small portion of concentrate that doesn’t make it into the Concentrate Heater tubes drain back to ?

Answer 13

-It drains to the Condensate Transfer Pumps which is then cooled by Concentrate Cooler

Question 14

How does the process of the Flash Tank work ?

Answer 14

1.)Concentrate enters Flash Tank nozzle on inverted surface at 140F
2.) Some Concentrate flashes to steam,while boron is concentrated in remaining liquid
3.)Geometry of Flash Tank creates swirl motion which separates vapor from Concentrated Liquid
4.)Remaining concentrate is returned back to Concentrator pumps

Question 15

The Concentrate Cooling & Recirculation flow path includes what components ?

Answer 15

-Concentrator Cooler
-Density Sensor
-Discharge flow sensor
-Discharge flow control valve

Question 16

What cools the Concentrate Cooler ?

Answer 16

Nuclear Cooling Water

Question 17

Where does flow go after it’s discharged from Concentrate Cooler? What is the flow rate at the Flow Control Valve ?

Answer 17

10gpm is sent back to CVCS HUT

Question 18

Where does the Vapor Separator receive its Vapor from ? What does the Vapor pass through inside of it ?

Answer 18

Received it from the flash tank & it passes through most eliminators to remove moisture

Question 19

Where does the discharge of the Vapor Separator go to during Normal Operation BAC Release?

Answer 19

-Goes to Radwaste Building HVAC Exhaust & Plant Vent to atmosphere
-Goes to Distillate Condenser

Question 20

Why is BAC Release done ? Why is controlling release flow rate important ?

Answer 20

-It’s done to reduce Tritium Concentration & control inventory
Release flow rate is important:
-To be within specifications of release permit
-Adequate vapor flow to Distillate Condenser for seal & flushing water

Question 21

What is the Distillate Condenser meant for ? What it cooled by ?

Answer 21

-Meant to condense Vapor Separator discharge that wasn’t exhausted
-Cooled by Nuclear Cooling Water

Question 22

What is the Vent Cooler used for ? What’s it cooled by ?

Answer 22

-Used to vent any non-condensable gases in the Distillate Condenser to the Radwaste HVAC Exhaust
-Also used to condense any vapor that didn’t get condense in Distillate Condenser
-Cooled by Nuclear Cooling Water

Question 23

What does the Pressure Control Valve(993) at the discharge of the Vent Cooler do ?

Answer 23

-Let’s non-condensates gases to vent to Radwaste HVAC Exhaust
-Maintains pressure & temp in Distillate Condenser,and also the rest of BAC

Question 24

Where do the Distillate Pumps draw suction from? Where do they discharge to ?

Answer 24

-They draw from Distillate Condenser Sump
-They discharge through Distillate cooler

Question 25

What is the purpose of the Distillate Cooler ? What is cooled by ?

Answer 25

-Used to cool Distillate from condenser, to be able to cool & flush other components in the BAC
- Cooled by nuclear cooling water