Physical Characterization of Solid-Liquid Slurries at High Weight Fractions Using Optical and Ultrasonic Methods

Research Objective The goal of this proposed work is to directly address the need for rapid on-line characterization of the physical properties of HLW slurries during all phases of the remediation process, from in-tank characterization of sediments to monitoring of the concentration, particle size, and degree of agglomeration and gelation of slurries during transport. This will be done with both optical and ultrasonic methods. There are three tasks: 1) develop optical and acoustic measurements to provide the fundamental science needed for successful device development and implementation, 2) develop theories that describe the interrelationship between wave propagation and the physical properties of the slurry, and 3) solve, in the framework of these theories, the inversion problem and compare them with the experimental measurements to non-intrusively characterize slurries.