Conceptual vitrification system for the Hanford Waste Vitrification Plant

Radioactive defense waste in the form of solutions and sludges is stored in underground double-shelled tanks at Hanford. This waste was and still is generated during the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and subsequent waste treatment activities. The Hanford Waste Vitrification Plant (HWVP) is being designed to immobilize these wastes in a suitable glass matrix for geologic repository disposal. Immobilization and disposal of the waste by the vitrification process must be qualified through the National Environmental Policy Act process. The HWVP is being designed to accommodate the draft Hanford Defense Waste-Environmental Impact Statement Geologic and Reference Disposal Alternatives. A conceptual design of the vitrification system that will be used to immobilize the wastes has been completed. The design of the vitrification system includes the melter and turntable. This paper presents the design features of this system. Technology has been developed by Pacific Northwest Lab. for incorporating Hanford high-level waste into borosilicate glass through a vitrification process. This work has been extended to plant design at other US Dept. of Energy sites Savannah River Plant and West Valley Demonstration Project and in various foreign countries. Based on proven technology, a Joule-heated, liquid-fed ceramic melter coupled to a closed canister turntable has been selected as the reference vitrification system for the HWVP