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An Electrodeless Melter for Vitrification of NuclearWaste

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 September 2012

J. P. Freidberg ,
A. J. Shajii ,
K. W. Wenzel  and
J. R. Lierzer
J. P. Freidberg
Affiliation:
MIT Nuclear Engineering Department and Plasma Science and Fusion Center, NW16, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, freidberg@psfc.mit.edu
A. J. Shajii
Affiliation:
MIT Nuclear Engineering Department and Plasma Science and Fusion Center, NW16, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, freidberg@psfc.mit.edu
K. W. Wenzel
Affiliation:
MIT Nuclear Engineering Department and Plasma Science and Fusion Center, NW16, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, freidberg@psfc.mit.edu
J. R. Lierzer
Affiliation:
MIT Nuclear Engineering Department and Plasma Science and Fusion Center, NW16, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, freidberg@psfc.mit.edu
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Abstract

This paper describes a new concept for a high-temperature, electrodelessmelter for vitrifying radioactive wastes. Based on the principles ofinduction heating, it circumvents a number of difficulties associated withexisting technology. The melter can operate at higher temperatures(1500–2000°C vs 1150°C), allowing for a higher quality, more durable glasswhich reduces the long-term leaching rate. Higher processing temperaturesalso enable conversion from borosilicate to high-silica glass which canaccommodate 2 to 3 times as much radioactive waste, potentially halving theultimate required long-term disposal space. Finally, with high temperatures,conversion of nuclear waste into ceramics can also be considered. This tooleads to higher waste loading and the reduction of repository space. Themelter is toroidal, linked by an iron core transformer that allows efficientelectrical operation even at 60 Hz. One-dimensional electrical and thermalanalyses are presented.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 465: Symposium II – Scienfific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XX , 1996 , 33
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1997

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References

REFERENCES

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