Electrode systems for in situ vitrification

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:867522

Buelt, James L ^[1]; Carter, John G ^[1]; Eschbach, Eugene A ^[1]; FitzPatrick, Vincent F ^[1]; Koehmstedt, Paul L ^[1]; Morgan, William C ^[1]; Oma, Kenton H ^[1]; Timmerman, Craig L ^[1]

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1. Richland, WA

An electrode comprising a molybdenum rod is received within a conductive collar formed of graphite. The molybdenum rod and the graphite collar may be physically joined at the bottom. A pair of such electrodes are placed in soil containing buried waste material and an electric current is passed therebetween for vitrifying the soil. The graphite collar enhances the thermal conductivity of the combination, bringing heat to the surface, and preventing formation of a cold cap of material above the ground surface. The annulus between the molybdenum rod electrode and the graphite collar is suitably filled with a conductive ceramic powder that sinters upon the molybdenum rod, protecting the same from oxidation as graphite material is consumed, or a metal powder which liquefies at operating temperatures. The center of the molybdenum rod, used with a collar of separately, can be hollow and filled with a powdered metal, such as copper, which liquefies at operating temperatures. Connection to electrodes can be provided below ground level to avoid open circuit due to electrode deterioration, or sacrificial electrodes may be employed when operation is started. Outboard electrodes cna be utilized to square up a vitrified area.

• Research Organization: Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute (Richland, WA)
• Patent Number(s): US 4956535
• OSTI ID: 867522
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

electrode
systems
situ
vitrification
comprising
molybdenum
rod
received
conductive
collar
formed
graphite
physically
joined
bottom
pair
electrodes
placed
soil
containing
buried
waste
material
electric
current
passed
therebetween
vitrifying
enhances
thermal
conductivity
combination
bringing
heat
surface
preventing
formation
cold
cap
ground
annulus
suitably
filled
ceramic
powder
sinters
protecting
oxidation
consumed
metal
liquefies
operating
temperatures
center
separately
hollow
powdered
copper
connection
provided
below
level
avoid
circuit
due
deterioration
sacrificial
employed
operation
started
outboard
cna
utilized
square
vitrified
situ vitrification
ground level
graphite collar
ceramic powder
buried waste
electric current
thermal conductivity
waste material
operating temperature
operating temperatures
metal powder
conductive ceramic
powdered metal
electrode comprising
ground surface
molybdenum rod
physically joined
soil containing
rod electrode
below ground
cold cap
collar formed
oil containing
electrode systems
/219/166/299/392/405/