Evaluation of a Processing Technique for Immobilization of Low Level Radioactive Waste

摘要

A commercially available joule-heated glass furnace system is currently being evaluated at Mound as a means of processing low-level radioactive waste typically found in light water reactor facilities. This evaluation has been primarily concerned with determining the effectiveness of the processing technique in the areas of volume reduction and immobilization. The first phase of the evaluation consisted of a series of nonradioactive experiments to determine the combustion efficiency of the furnace and chemical durability of the glass for several waste types deemed representative of power plant effluent streams. Upon completion of this work, radioactive spiked experiments were initiated which will provide, when completed, a comprehensive mass balance and establish volatility trends for several predominant radioisotopes. 1 reference, 5 figures, 4 tables. (ERA citation 09:035221)