Vitrification of combustible and volatile wastes in a graphite electrode arc melter

A number of demonstration tests for vitrifying mixed wastes at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) have been conducted using a small, industrial-scale, three-phase AC, graphite electrode furnace located at the Albany Research Center of the United States Bureau of Mines (USBM). Three separate feed mixtures contained up to 38% metals, 90% solid combustibles, 63% absorbed organic liquids and PVC, 5% nitrates, and 10% metal hydrates. These feed mixtures were processed with added soil from the INEL. A very comprehensive process monitoring, sampling and analysis program was included in the test program. Evaluations that were performed included (a) equipment capability to achieve desired vitrification products for different feed compositions, (b) slag and metals tapping, (c) partitioning of tranuranic elements and toxic metals among the furnace products, (d) analyses of the slag, fume, and metal products, and (e) performance of the feed, furnace and air pollution control systems