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U.S. Department of Energy
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Comparison of plutonium and cerium volatilities in Plasma Arc Centrifugal Treatment (PACT) systems

Conference ·
OSTI ID:210164
; ;  [1]
  1. MSE, Inc., Butte, MT (United States); and others
Several configurations of plasma arc centrifugal treatment (PACT) systems are being considered as means for treating low level radioactive and mixed wastes. A series of tests using a full-scale (six foot inside diameter) PACT system have been conducted at the DOE-Office of Technology Development facility in Butte, MT. The plasma torch heat source in PACT systems produces very high localized temperatures (estimated >10,000 K), therefore volatilization of metals, particularly plutonium, is a concern. The full-scale tests used ceric oxide as a plutonium surrogate. In addition, a series of small-scale (one foot inside diameter) PACT tests were conducted, using feeds spiked with both cerium and plutonium. The purpose of this paper is to present a comparison of plutonium and cerium volatilities from the full-scale and small-scale tests, and to evaluate the probable volatility of plutonium during routine waste processing in the full-scale furnace.
OSTI ID:
210164
Report Number(s):
CONF-9509139--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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