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

Waste calciner corrosion

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6570058· OSTI ID:6570058

Corrosion data derived during the development and operation of the waste calcination process for solidification of aqueous nuclear wastes from reprocessing of nuclear fuels between 1957 and 1977 has been reviewed. Early test results in laboratory and pilot-plant studies led to the selection of Type 347 stainless steel for the first Waste Calcining Facility (WCF) primary calciner vessel and Type 304L and 347 stainless steels for the aqueous feed and scrub systems. Operation history of this unit indicates that these were good choices for construction materials even after changing from aluminum nitrate to zirconium fluoride containing wastes and modification to replace the NaK heating system with ''in-bed'' combustion. Problems encountered during operation have been with fittings such as valves, valve bellows, and feed and fuel nozzles. These problems continue under development with both new designs and materials being investigated and tested. Laboratory corrosion tests and metallurgical data which have led to the selection of Nitronic-50 alloy (an austenitic stainless steel) for use in the aqueous liquid sections of the New Waste Calcining Facility (NWCF) are presented. 10 figures, 47 tables.

Research Organization:
Allied Chemical Corp., Idaho Falls, ID (USA). Idaho Chemical Programs - Operations Office
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-07-1540
OSTI ID:
6570058
Report Number(s):
ICP-1171
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English