Plasma vitrification of waste materials

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:870986

McLaughlin, David F ^[1]; Dighe, Shyam V ^[2]; Gass, William R ^[3]

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1. Oakmont, PA
2. North Huntingdon, PA
3. Plum Boro, PA

This invention provides a process wherein hazardous or radioactive wastes in the form of liquids, slurries, or finely divided solids are mixed with finely divided glassformers (silica, alumina, soda, etc.) and injected directly into the plume of a non-transferred arc plasma torch. The extremely high temperatures and heat transfer rates makes it possible to convert the waste-glassformer mixture into a fully vitrified molten glass product in a matter of milliseconds. The molten product may then be collected in a crucible for casting into final wasteform geometry, quenching in water, or further holding time to improve homogeneity and eliminate bubbles.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Hanford Co
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-87RL10930
• Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5637127
• OSTI ID: 870986
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

plasma
vitrification
waste
materials
provides
process
hazardous
radioactive
wastes
form
liquids
slurries
finely
divided
solids
mixed
glassformers
silica
alumina
soda
etc
injected
directly
plume
non-transferred
torch
extremely
temperatures
heat
transfer
rates
makes
convert
waste-glassformer
mixture
vitrified
molten
glass
product
matter
milliseconds
collected
crucible
casting
final
wasteform
geometry
quenching
water
holding
time
improve
homogeneity
eliminate
bubbles
waste material
heat transfer
waste materials
radioactive waste
finely divided
molten glass
plasma torch
radioactive wastes
transfer rate
glass product
final waste
divided solid
divided solids
/65/501/588/