Commercialization of microwave vitrification

A new company, Clean Earth Technologies, L.L.C. (CET), is being formed as a spin-off of Berkeley Research Associates, Inc. with the goal of commercializing microwave vitrification as the industrial partner with the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site. Based on the Department of Energy`s development program at Rocky Flats, microwave vitrification has been shown to be effective and economical method of treatment for several types of wastes. CET will begin operation of a pilot-scale plant (50 kg/hr) for treatment formulation studies during Winter, 1996. It is expected that systems with comparable production rate will be offered for delivery during in Summer, 1996. Scaling of microwave vitrification systems to the 200-500 kg/hr level is underway, and CET plans to manufacture portable, standalone, 200-500 kg/hr systems. These systems will be complete, integrated front-to-back systems including waste pre-treatment, off-gas and waste water treatment, and automated monitoring and operation. A field demonstration is being planned for early 1997.