Operational testing of an electrically fired Pu-238 waste incineration process

Combustible Pu-238 waste is generated as a result of normal operation and decommissioning activity at the Savannah River Plant and is being retrievably stored at the plant. An electrically fired, two-stage incineration process is being developed to study the feasibility of using incineration to process and recover plutonium from the waste. A prototype incinerator is being tested to assess its capability to be remotely operated and maintained. Technical development is focusing on the following six areas to determine the feasibility of placing the incinerator in radioactive service: continuous feeding, vacuum control, remote operability and mechanical integrity of the system, ash burnout, and life of the belt in the primary incinerator chamber