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

Technical Report · Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7143777· OSTI ID:7143777

Chapman, C C

Development of a joule-heated ceramic melter, sponsored by the Energy Research and Development Administration, has been progressing for nearly 3 years. In January 1975, a ceramic-lined, direct joule-heated glass melter was started up and operated continuously for nearly 11 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 kg of glass/hour, which meets the needs of a reference 5 MTU/day reprocessing plant. When the simulated liquid waste and frit slurry were fed to the system, a 25-liter/hr process rate was demonstrated. This capacity is equivalent to the needs of a 1.5 MTU/day reprocessing plant. Evaluation of the melter after 10.8 months of operation suggests that a melter life in excess of 2 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, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: E(45-1)-1830
• OSTI ID: 7143777
• Report Number(s): BNWL-2071; TRN: 77-000047
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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