Sensors for glass quality monitoring

High Level Waste Glass Production Quality Control relies upon batch composition control, and control of the time-temperature history in the melter. Statistical Process Control requires multiple batch samples to meet confidence requirements of chemical composition. Additional samples are required to assure adherence to redox control limitations of the melt. Control of Non-High Level Waste Glasses is more difficult because of the complexity of non-homogeneous materials of variable composition, such as incinerator ash, and glove box wastes. Electrochemical sensors can increase confidence in glass property control while reducing the number of glass composition determinations required, and eliminate separate samples for melter redox control. Such sensors may be used on-line at the melter for continuous monitoring of glass redox and durability as it is produced, or at-line to characterize batch samples. Sensor theory, and test results on simulated Defense Waste Processing Facility melter feed are discussed