Projects & Programs
Demonstration Bulk Vitrification Support Project
This project involves testing, evaluation, engineering support and regulatory guidance to support the development of a bulk vitrification (BV) process for converting Hanford low-activity tank waste into a stable glass waste form suitable for disposal. Testing includes laboratory-scale and engineering-scale experiments with radioactive and nonradioactive waste simulants. RMTD support to BV included:
- development of glass formulations that would meet all processing constraints and durability requirements
- conduct of engineering scale tests with radioactive wastes
- development of simulant formulations for all testing scales
- assistance to the BV contractor to troubleshoot problems with refractory design, metal formation, and off-gas system operations
- conduct of extensive waste form characterization studies on full-scale, 40,000 Kg glass waste forms
- determination of the cause of technetium migration into refractory blocks and developed a successful strategy to reduce impacts by 40X.
Full Scale Bulk Virtification, with electodes and glass batch (pre-melt), at hosted AMEC facility.
Full Scale Bulk Vitrification (post-melt) side view at hosted AMEC facility.
Full Scale Bulk Vitrification (post-melt) rear view at hosted AMEC facility.