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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Development of components for waste management systems using aerospace technology

Conference ·
OSTI ID:113768
; ;  [1]
  1. Aerojet-General Corp., Sacramento, CA (United States)
An aerospace fluid management technology called ``platelets`` has been applied to components that are critical to the economic operation of waste management systems. Platelet devices are made by diffusion bonding thin metal plates which have been etched with precise flow passage circuitry to control and meter fluid to desired locations. Supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) is a promising waste treatment technology for safe and environmentally acceptable destruction of hazardous wastes. Performance and economics of current SCWO systems are limited by severe salt deposition on and corrosion of the reactor walls. A platelet transpiring-wall reactor has been developed that provides a protective layer of water adjacent to the reactor walls which prevents salt deposition and corrosion. Plasma arc processing is being considered as a method for stabilizing mixed radioactive wastes. Plasma arc torch systems currently require frequent shutdown to replace failed electrodes and this increases operating costs. A platelet electrode design was developed that has more than 10 times the life of conventional electrodes. It has water cooling channels internal to the electrode wall and slots through the wall for injecting gas into the arc.
Research Organization:
Aerojet-General Corp., Sacramento, CA (United States); Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AR21-93MC30361; AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
113768
Report Number(s):
DOE/MC/30361--95/C0498; CONF-9510219--1; ON: DE95017866
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English