Title: Disposal of failed melters from defense waste vitrification facilities
Abstract: Currently, high-level radioactive waste forms from the US Department of Energy (DOE) defense programs at the Savannah River Site (SRS) and the Hanford Site are stored in large underground carbon steel tanks at the respective sites. Vitrification is the key technology applicable to the disposal of these high-level nuclear waste forms. Combining these waste forms with glass-forming media to create borosilicate glass will ensure safe, long-term disposal in the nation`s geologic repository. Vitrification of these waste forms will be performed using large, slurry-fed melters at the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) at the SRS, and the Hanford Waste Vitrification Plant (HWVP) at the Hanford Site. As the focal point of both the DWPF and HWVP, the melter has a finite lifetime and must be replaced every 2 to 3 yr. The plant staff must interrupt their operations to effect the changeout. After removal from the main process canyon, the containerized melters will be placed into a concrete vault located on the vitrification plant site where the melter will await further processing. At SRS and the Hanford Site, new facilities are not available but must be provided to accomplish the next steps in the process of disposal: size reduction, segregation, andmore » containerization of the various waste forms in preparation for shipment of each to their appropriate destinations. Removing the failed melters from the Vitrification Building, packaging, intra-area transport, and onsite vault storage are described.« less
Publication Year: 1992
Publication Date: 1992-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 2
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