Millimeter-Wave Measurements at 137 GHZ of DWPF Black Frit Glass Flow and Salt Layer Pooling in a Pilot Scale Melter
Nuclear waste vitrification in joule-heated melters would be greatly facilitated by the availability of on-line monitoring instrumentation for critical process parameters such as viscosity and salt accumulation. A field test of the applicability of millimeter-wave (MMW) technology to providing such tools was carried out on a pilot scale melter (EV-16) at the Clemson Environmental Technology Laboratory. Flow measurements of Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) black frit glass over a temperature (T) range of 800-1150 C and to depths of over 7 inches (17.8 cm) were made with an immersed ceramic waveguide. Pressure induced melt flow inside the waveguide was observed over an average velocity range of 0.1-10 mm/s consistent with a 1/T viscosity scaling. In another test, sodium sulfate salt (NaSO4) was added to the melt to demonstrate salt layer detection. A 30% decrease in MMW melt emissivity was clearly observed as pools of salt formed and flowed under the waveguide.
- Research Organization:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA; Pacific Northwest National Lab., Richland, WA; Savannah River Technology Center, Aiken, SC; Clemson University, SC (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC) (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 826057
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Characterization of Off Gas Flow Surges in the DWPF Melter
YIELD STRESS REDUCTION OF DWPF MELTER FEED SLURRIES
Related Subjects
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AVAILABILITY
CERAMICS
DETECTION
EMISSIVITY
FIELD TESTS
GLASS
MONITORING
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SODIUM SULFATES
VELOCITY
VISCOSITY
VITRIFICATION
WASTE PROCESSING
WAVEGUIDES