Experience with a joule heated ceramic melter while converting simulated high-level waste to glass

Conference · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976

OSTI ID:7125684

Chapman, C. C.

Development of a joule heated ceramic melter, sponsored by the Energy Research and Development Administration, has been progressing for nearly three years. In January 1975, a ceramic lined, direct joule heated glass melter was started up and operated continuously for nearly eleven months. During this period, process testing was completed both while feeding simulated high-level waste calcine and while feeding simulated high-level liquid waste. While feeding waste calcine and frit, the unit was demonstrated at a production rate in excess of 45 kilograms of glass per hour, which meets the needs of a reference 5 MTU per day reprocessing plant. When fed the simulated liquid waste and frit slurry, a process rate of 25 liters per hour was demonstrated. This is equivalent to the requirements of a 1.6 MTU per day reprocessing plant. Evaluation of the melter after 10.8 months of operation suggests that a melter life in excess of two years is likely. The operation of the engineering-scale ceramic melter has been encouraging. The high capacity of the melter with the capability for direct liquid feeding and a long operating life suggests that a joule heated ceramic melter will play a major role in future waste solidification processes.

• Research Organization: Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, Wash. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: E(45-1)-1830
• OSTI ID: 7125684
• Report Number(s): BNWL-SA-5762; CONF-760532-9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052001* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Processing
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
CERAMICS
FURNACES
GLASS
MANAGEMENT
PERFORMANCE
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
SOLIDIFICATION
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING