Consolidated fuel reprocessing program: a mathematical model for liquid flow transients in a rotary dissolver

A model describing the liquid outlet response to perturbations in the flow to a compartmented rotary dissolver has been developed. The model incorporates stagewise differential material balances coupled with the general equation for flow over a weir to calculate acid concentrations and liquid volumes in each stage. Data were taken from step-change flow experiments conducted on a 0.5-t/d rotary dissolver. The predicted response of the model was in good agreement with the data from the dissolver experiments. All constants in the model were obtained by independent tests. The model appears to be applicable over a wide range of dissolver operating conditions; however, temperature fluctuations and the presence of solids were not addressed.