Water containing a short-lived radioactive species flows continuously through a

Question

Water containing a short-lived radioactive species flows continuously through a well-mixed holdup tank. This gives time for the radioactive material to decay into harmless waste. As it now operates, the activity of the exit stream is 1/7 of the feed stream. This is not bad, but we'd like to lower it still more. One operator suggests that we insert a baffle down the middle of the tank so that the holdup tank acts as two well-mixed tanks in series. Do you think this would help? Tell why or why not. No calculations are needed, but you can provide your justification by using any equations you might find fit.

Explanation / Answer

No...I don't think this will help.

-Assuming mass flow rate across the holdup tank is constant and fluid is incompressible.

-If you insert a baffle the available area for flow decreases.But according to continuity equation A1V1=A2V2,to keep the mass flow rate constant,the velocity will increase.So there will be nochange in the holdup time. Since decay depends on hold upup time,there will be no use.I think you can increase the hold up time by connecting another holdup tank in parallel with the present one.

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