Development of Borosilicate Glass for the Vitrification Plant PAMELA

摘要

The Federated Republic of Germany established in the Eurochemic in Mol, Belgium, a plant, PAMELA, for solidification of so-called LEWC (low enriched waste concentrate). The concern there is with 65 m exp 3 of high radioactivity waste inherited from reworking of fuel elements in the years 1967 to 1974. In this plant the HLW will be fused in borosilicate glass and then equal amounts will be either drawn off into molds or imbedded as glass beads in lead (as so-called Vitromets). The vitrification will be carried out in a melting pot with direct electrical heat. Nothing is reported here about the technical layout of the solidification plant. The state of development of the borosilicate glass at the Hahn-Meitner Institute, the relationship between glass formation, technical limiting conditions, and composition of the waste are discussed.