Vitrification of Hanford wastes in a joule-heated ceramic melter and evaluation of resultant canisterized product
Experience gained in the week-long vitrification test and characterization of the glass produced in the run support the following conclusions: The Hanford waste simulated in this test can be readily vitrified in a joule-heated ceramic melter. Physical properties of the molten glass were entirely compatible with melter operation. The average feed rate of 106 kg/h is high enough to make the ceramic melter a feasible piece of equipment for vitrifying Hanford wastes. The glass produced in this trial had good chemical durability, 6(10)/sup -5/ g/cm/sup 2/-d. When one of the canisters was purposely dropped onto a steel pad, the damage was limited to deformation of the steel can in the impact area, cracking of a weld, and fracturing of glass in the immediate vicinity of the impact area. No glass was released from the canister as a result of the drop test. The results of this vitrification test support the technical feasibility of vitrifying Hanford wastes by means of a joule-heated ceramic melter. Surface area for large glass castings is equivalent to the mass median particle diameters between 4.27 cm (1.75 in.) and 8.91 cm (3.51 in.) even when allowed to cool rapidly by standing in ambient air. Large canisters (up to 0.91 m in dia) can be cast without large voids while standing in air if the fill rate is over 100 kg/h. 34 figures, 10 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-06-1830
- OSTI ID:
- 5966019
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-2904; TRN: 79-020734
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
VITRIFICATION
BOROSILICATES
CONTAINERS
EQUIPMENT
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
GLASS
HAPO
IMPACT TESTS
LEACHING
MELTING
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POROSITY
SIMULATION
SURFACE AREA
BORON COMPOUNDS
DISSOLUTION
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL TESTS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PROCESSING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TESTING
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
052001* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Processing