Volume reduction of low-level, combustible, transuranic waste at Mound Facility

Conference ·

OSTI ID:6893690

Bond, W. H.; Doty, J. W.; Koenst, Jr., J. W.; Luthy, D. F.

Low-level combustible waste (<100 nCi per g of waste) generated during plutonium-238 processing is collected and stored in 55-gallon (200-liter) drums. The composition of this waste is approximately 32 wt % paper, 46% plastic, 16% rubber and cloth, and 6% metal. Treatment of this waste is initiated by burning in the Mound Cyclone Incinerator, which consists of a burning chamber, deluge tank, venturi scrubber and blower. During the two years of operating the Cyclone Incinerator, experiments have been performed on particle distribution throughout the system using various mixtures of feed material. Measurements were taken at the incinerator outlet, after the spray tank, and after the venturi scrubber. An average emission of 0.23 g of particles per kg of feed at the venturi outlet was determined. The distribution of chlorine from the combustion of polyvinyl chloride was studied. Analyses of the off-gas and scrubber solution show that approximately 75 wt % of the chlorine was captured by the scrubber solution and approximately 17 wt % remained in the off-gas after the venturi scrubber. Measurements of the amount of NO/sub chi/ present in the off-gas were also made during the chloride studies. An average of approximately 200 ppM NO/sub chi/ was produced during each incineration run. Immobilization of the incinerator ash is being studied with regard to long-term behavior of the product. The immobilization matrix which looks most promising is ash mixed with Portland 1A cement in a 65/35 wt % ash-to-cement ratio. This matrix exhibits good mechanical properties while maintaining a maximum volume reduction.

• Research Organization: Mound Lab., Miamisburg, OH (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0053
• OSTI ID: 6893690
• Report Number(s): MLM-2545(OP); CONF-780819-17; TRN: 78-018676
• Resource Relation: Conference: 15. nuclear air cleaning conference, Boston, MA, USA, Aug 1978
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
COMBUSTION
ASHES
CHLORINE
GASEOUS WASTES
INCINERATORS
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
NITROGEN OXIDES
PORTLAND CEMENT
SOLID WASTES
SOLIDIFICATION
BUILDING MATERIALS
CEMENTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELEMENTS
HALOGENS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RESIDUES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES
052001* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Processing