Radioactive waste material melter apparatus

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:867349

Newman, Darrell F ^[1]; Ross, Wayne A ^[1]

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1. Richland, WA

An apparatus for preparing metallic radioactive waste material for storage is disclosed. The radioactive waste material is placed in a radiation shielded enclosure. The waste material is then melted with a plasma torch and cast into a plurality of successive horizontal layers in a mold to form a radioactive ingot in the shape of a spent nuclear fuel rod storage canister. The apparatus comprises a radiation shielded enclosure having an opening adapted for receiving a conventional transfer cask within which radioactive waste material is transferred to the apparatus. A plasma torch is mounted within the enclosure. A mold is also received within the enclosure for receiving the melted waste material and cooling it to form an ingot. The enclosure is preferably constructed in at least two parts to enable easy transport of the apparatus from one nuclear site to another.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute (Richland, WA)
• Patent Number(s): US 4919190
• OSTI ID: 867349
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

radioactive
waste
material
melter
apparatus
preparing
metallic
storage
disclosed
placed
radiation
shielded
enclosure
melted
plasma
torch
cast
plurality
successive
horizontal
layers
mold
form
ingot
shape
spent
nuclear
fuel
rod
canister
comprises
adapted
receiving
conventional
transfer
cask
transferred
mounted
received
cooling
preferably
constructed
enable
easy
transport
site
preferably constructed
preparing metal
radiation shield
apparatus comprises
waste material
nuclear fuel
spent nuclear
radioactive waste
fuel rod
plasma torch
radiation shielded
apparatus comprise
shielded enclosure
horizontal layers
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