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A Direct, Single-Step Plasma ARC-Vitreous Ceramic Process forStabilizing Spent Nuclear Fuels, Sludges, and AssociatedWastes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 September 2012

Xiangdong Feng ,
Robert E. Einziger  and
Richard C. Eschenbach
Xiangdong Feng
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, x_feng@pnl.gov
Robert E. Einziger
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, x_feng@pnl.gov
Richard C. Eschenbach
Affiliation:
Retech, A Division of M4 Environmental, Ukiah, CA 95482
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Abstract

A single-step plasma arc-vitreous ceramic (PAVC) process is described forconverting spent nuclear fuel (SNF), SNF sludges, and associated wastes intoa vitreous ceramic waste form. This proposed technology is built onextensive experience of nuclear waste form development and nuclear wastetreatment using the commercially available plasma arc centrifugal (PAC)system. SNF elements will be loaded directly into a PAC furnace with minimumadditives and converted into vitreous ceramics with up to 90 wt% wasteloading. The vitreous ceramic waste form should meet the functionalrequirements for borosilicate glasses for permanent disposal in a geologicrepository and for interim storage. Criticality safety would be ensuredthrough the use of “batch” modes, and controlling the amount of fuelprocessed in one batch. The minimum requirements on SNF characterization andpretreatment, the one-step process, and minimum secondary waste generationmay reduce treatment duration, radiation exposure, and treatment cost.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 465: Symposium II – Scienfific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XX , 1996 , 25
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1997

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References

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