SuperLig(TM) 644 Ion Exchange Resin Stability in Nitric Acid at Elevated Temperatures

In the Hanford River Protection Project Waste Treatment Plan (RPP-WTP) flowsheet, opportunity exists for the organic SuperLig 644(TM) cation exchange resin to come in contact with concentrated (5 M) nitric acid at elevated temperatures in the acid recovery evaporator. These are similar conditions where other ion exchange resin (albeit usually anion) column explosions have occurred. The objective of these tests was to examine potential hazards by exposing the resin to conditions expected in the facility and examining the composition of the reaction products and their reactivity.