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Glass Formulation Development in Support of Melter Testing to Demonstrate Enhanced High Level Waste Throughput

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

James C. Marra ,
Kevin M. Fox ,
David K. Peeler ,
Thomas B. Edwards ,
Amanda L. Youchak ,
James H. Gillam Jr. ,
John D. Vienna ,
Sergey V. Stefanovsky  and
Albert S. Aloy
James C. Marra
Affiliation:
Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, U.S.A.
Kevin M. Fox
Affiliation:
Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, U.S.A.
David K. Peeler
Affiliation:
Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, U.S.A.
Thomas B. Edwards
Affiliation:
Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, U.S.A.
Amanda L. Youchak
Affiliation:
Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, U.S.A.
James H. Gillam Jr.
Affiliation:
Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, U.S.A.
John D. Vienna
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, U.S.A.
Sergey V. Stefanovsky
Affiliation:
SIA Radon Institute, Moscow, Russia
Albert S. Aloy
Affiliation:
V. G. Khlopin Radium Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Abstract

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is currently processing high-level waste (HLW) through a Joule-heated melter (JHM) at the Savannah River Site (SRS) and plans to vitrify HLW and Low activity waste (LAW) at the Hanford Site. Over the past few years at the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF), work has concentrated on increasing waste throughput. These efforts are continuing with an emphasis on high alumina concentration feeds. High alumina feeds have presented specific challenges for the JHM technology regarding the ability to increase waste loading yet still maintain product quality and adequate throughput. Alternatively, vitrification technology innovations are also being investigated as a means to increase waste throughput. The Cold Crucible Induction Melter (CCIM) technology affords the opportunity for higher vitrification process temperatures as compared to the current reference JHM technology. Higher process temperatures may allow for higher waste loading and higher melt rate.

Glass formulation testing to support melter demonstration testing was recently completed. This testing was specifically aimed at high alumina concentration wastes. Glass composition/property models developed for DWPF were utilized as a guide for formulation development. Both CCIM and JHM testing will be conducted so glass formulation testing was targeted at both technologies with a goal to significantly increase waste loading and maintain melt rate without compromising product quality.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1107: Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXXI , 2008 , 231
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2008

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