See-through solution to nuclear waste

The consensus of opinion within the nuclear industry is that the first step in the safe disposal of liquid high-level radioactive waste is the conversion of this waste into a solid such as a block of glass cast in a stainless steel canister. Steps in the vitrification process are considered. Research being carried out in the UK to obtain chemical engineering information on the vitrification process and to develop and evaluate the best glass for each type of highly active waste is discussed. Work being undertaken in France, India, USA and West Germany to turn the vitrification concept into a working industrial process is described. (UK)