skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Review and evaluation of metallic TRU nuclear waste consolidation methods

Abstract

The US Department of Energy established the Commercial Waste Treatment Program to develop, demonstrate, and deploy waste treatment technology. In this report, viable methods are identified that could consolidate the volume of metallic wastes generated in a fuel reprocessing facility. The purpose of this study is to identify, evaluate, and rate processes that have been or could be used to reduce the volume of contaminated/irradiated metallic waste streams and to produce an acceptable waste form in a safe and cost-effective process. A technical comparative evaluation of various consolidation processes was conducted, and these processes were rated as to the feasibility and cost of producing a viable product from a remotely operated radioactive process facility. Out of the wide variety of melting concepts and consolidation systems that might be applicable for consolidating metallic nuclear wastes, the following processes were selected for evaluation: inductoslay melting, rotating nonconsumable electrode melting, plasma arc melting, electroslag melting with two nonconsumable electrodes, vacuum coreless induction melting, and cold compaction. Each process was evaluated and rated on the criteria of complexity of process, state and type of development required, safety, process requirements, and facility requirements. It was concluded that the vacuum coreless induction melting process is themore » most viable process to consolidate nuclear metallic wastes. 11 references.« less

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
5754667
Report Number(s):
PNL-4754
ON: DE84001919
DOE Contract Number:  
AC06-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING; ALPHA-BEARING WASTES; COMPACTING; COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS; MELTING; SOLID WASTES; VOLUME; MANAGEMENT; MATERIALS; PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS; PROCESSING; RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS; RADIOACTIVE WASTES; WASTE MANAGEMENT; WASTE PROCESSING; WASTES; 052001* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Processing

Citation Formats

Montgomery, D R, and Nesbitt, J F. Review and evaluation of metallic TRU nuclear waste consolidation methods. United States: N. p., 1983. Web. doi:10.2172/5754667.
Montgomery, D R, & Nesbitt, J F. Review and evaluation of metallic TRU nuclear waste consolidation methods. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/5754667
Montgomery, D R, and Nesbitt, J F. 1983. "Review and evaluation of metallic TRU nuclear waste consolidation methods". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/5754667. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5754667.
@article{osti_5754667,
title = {Review and evaluation of metallic TRU nuclear waste consolidation methods},
author = {Montgomery, D R and Nesbitt, J F},
abstractNote = {The US Department of Energy established the Commercial Waste Treatment Program to develop, demonstrate, and deploy waste treatment technology. In this report, viable methods are identified that could consolidate the volume of metallic wastes generated in a fuel reprocessing facility. The purpose of this study is to identify, evaluate, and rate processes that have been or could be used to reduce the volume of contaminated/irradiated metallic waste streams and to produce an acceptable waste form in a safe and cost-effective process. A technical comparative evaluation of various consolidation processes was conducted, and these processes were rated as to the feasibility and cost of producing a viable product from a remotely operated radioactive process facility. Out of the wide variety of melting concepts and consolidation systems that might be applicable for consolidating metallic nuclear wastes, the following processes were selected for evaluation: inductoslay melting, rotating nonconsumable electrode melting, plasma arc melting, electroslag melting with two nonconsumable electrodes, vacuum coreless induction melting, and cold compaction. Each process was evaluated and rated on the criteria of complexity of process, state and type of development required, safety, process requirements, and facility requirements. It was concluded that the vacuum coreless induction melting process is the most viable process to consolidate nuclear metallic wastes. 11 references.},
doi = {10.2172/5754667},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5754667}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983},
month = {Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983}
}