Use of emission spectroscopy as a tool for optimization of plasma hearth operation for hazardous waste thermal treatment

Technical Report · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10120935· OSTI ID:10120935

Monts, D. L.; Bauman, L. E.; Lengel, R. K.; Wang, W.; Lin, J.; Cook, R. L.; Shepard, W. S. ^[1]

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1. Mississippi State Univ., MS (United States). Diagnostic Instrumentation and Analysis Lab.

Thermal processing of mixed wastes by plasma hearth vitrification requires optimization of and continuous monitoring of plasma hearth operation. A series of investigations utilizing emission spectroscopy has been initiated to characterize the plasma of a 96 kW plasma hearth in order to determine optimum conditions for monitoring and hence controlling plasma hearth performance. The plasma hearth test stand is based upon a 96 kW, transferred arc plasma torch. The torch is mounted in a vacuum vessel through an electrically operated XYZ Gimbal mount. The peak operating power depends on the gas used for the plasma. The operational limits for DC voltage are 180 V to 550 V; and the current is operated at a constant value, selectable in the range from 72 to 200 amps. The plasma arc length can be varied from 2.5 cm to 25 cm, and is dependent on the supply voltage and the process gas used. The arc current and voltage, gas pressure, cooling water flow, and cooling water temperature are monitored and stored by a PC-based data acquisition system. Five optical ports are available for making optical diagnostic measurements.

• Research Organization: Mississippi Univ. for Women, Columbus, MS (United States); Mississippi State Univ., MS (United States). Diagnostic Instrumentation and Analysis Lab.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-80ET15601; FG02-93CH10575
• OSTI ID: 10120935
• Report Number(s): CONF-940528--; ON: DE95006479; BR: AA7000000/AA7010100; EW4035200/GB0106010
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052001
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
AIR
ARGON
EMISSION SPECTRA
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HELIUM
NITROGEN
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PLASMA FURNACES
PROCESS CONTROL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
REAL TIME SYSTEMS
VITRIFICATION
WASTE PROCESSING