Operating experience in a radioactive liquid-fed ceramic melter vitrification facility

Between October 1984 and March 1987 the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) operated a pilot-scale radioactive liquid-fed ceramic melter (RLFCM) to convert radioactive solutions to a solid vitrified form (borosilicate glass). The facility was operated to test vitrification equipment components in a radioactive environment and to develop design and operating data that can be applied to US Department of Enrgy (DOE) production-scale operations. The radioactive testing scope of the RLFCM has concentrated on testing vitrification flowsheets that simulate waste stored at West Valley, New York, and on preparing radioactive canisters for a special repository test in the Federal Republic of Germany. During radioactive testing in the RLFCM 38 canisters of glass wre produced. This paper summarizes equipment and process experience obtained from the operations of equipment systems for waste feeding, waste vitrification, canister filling, canister handling, and vitrification off-gas treatment. 2 refs., 6 fgis., 2 tabs.