Incinerated waste consolidation studies

Products from rotary-kiln incineration studies previously conducted at Colorado School of Mines Research Institute on simulated transuranic waste materials were separated into size fractions. Each size fraction was then consolidated by cementing into drums. The purposes of the study were to determine the effectiveness of various types of equipment in separating the fine <1/4-in. ash from >1/4-in. incinerated waste and to study and evaluate various procedures involved in the use of portland cement concrete in consolidating incinerated simulated transuranic waste materials after size separation. Results of the study showed that either a trommel drum or a vibrating screen device produced the highest separation efficiency and met the operating requirements of no hang-up of material, minimal screen plugging, low number of moving parts, and a small space requirement. Sawing the cured drums of consolidated material showed that mixing <1/4-in. ash into the portland cement grout before pouring and vibrating the grout into the >1/4-in. material produced a sound, solid product with no voids. No significant temperature rise was recorded inside the consolidated drums during the 7 days of monitoring